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*You Got Another One Joey!* 8/9/00 ______________________________________
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Okay, now you have the picture. There was only one thing to do. Call AAA. Yeah, right. The cell phone I bought for security and protection from moments like this isn't in range to call anyone. "No Service" is says. No kidding! I sat for a few minutes moaning and complaining. It's a male thing. Then I began emptying my trunk so that I could get at the tire and tools needed to get the job done. I carry a large plastic container filled with what I call Cars buzz by me. A few beep sarcastically. I hear the horn saying "ha ha!" Darkness begins to settle in. It's becoming a bit difficult to see. The tire is on the passenger side, thank God,away from all the traffic, but making it difficult to benefit from the headlights of passing cars. Suddenly a car pulls off the road behind me. In the blinding light I see a male figure approaching me. "Hey, do you need any help?" "Well, it certainly isn't easy doing this with a white dress shirt and suit on," I said. Then he steps into the light. I literally was frightened. This young guy was dressed in black. Nearly everything imaginable was pierced and tattooed. His hair was cropped and poorly cut. He had leather bracelets with spikes on "How about I give you a hand?" he said. "Well, I don't know...I think I can.." "Come on, it will only take me a few minutes." He took right over. While watching him I happened to look back at his car and noticed for the first time someone sitting in the passenger seat. That concerned me. I suddenly felt outnumbered. Thoughts of car jackings and Then, without warning, it began to pour. The night sky had hidden the approaching clouds. It hit like a waterfall and made it impossible to finish the tire change. "Look, my friend, just stop what you're doing. I appreciate all your help. "Let me help you put your stuff back in the trunk. It will get ruined," he insisted. "Then get in my car. We'll wait with you." "No, really. I'll take care of everything," I said. "You can't get in your car with the jack up like that. It will fall. Come on. Get in," he said as he grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the car. "Crack! Boom!" Lightening and thunder roared like a freight train. I literally jumped in his car. "Oh, God protect me!," I thought to myself. Wet and tired I settled into the back seat. Suddenly a small frail voice came from the front seat of the car. "Are you alright?", she said as she turned around to face me. "Yes, I am," I replied with much relief seeing the old woman there. It must be his Mom. "My name is Beatrice and this is my neighbor Joey," she said. "He insisted on stopping when he saw you struggling with the tire." "I am grateful for his help," I said. "Me, too!" she said with a laugh. "Joey takes me to visit my husband. We had to place him in a nursing home and it's about 30 minutes away from where I live. So, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, we have a date." She laughed and shook her head. "We're the remake of the Odd Couple," Joey said as he joined in laughing. "Joey, that's incredible what you do for her. I would never have guessed, well, ah, you know I..." I stumbled with the words. "I know. People who look like me don't do nice things." he said. Silence. I really felt uncomfortable. I never believed that I judged people by the way they dressed. I was angry with myself for being so stupid. "Joey is a great kid. I'm not the only one he helps. He's a volunteer at our church. He also works with the kids in the learning center at the low income housing unit in our town," said Beatrice. "I'm a tutor" Joey said quietly as he stared at my car. Silence again played a part now in a moment of reflection rather than the uncomfortable feeling that I had insulted someone. He was right. What he wore on the outside was a reflection of the world as he saw it. What he The rain stopped and Joey and I changed the tire. I tried to offer him money and of course he refused it. As we shook hands I began to apologize for my stupidity. He said, "I experience that same reaction often. I actually thought about changing the way I look. But then I saw this as an opportunity to make a point. So I'll He walked to his car and as they drove off Beatrice smiled and waved as she began to laugh again. I could almost hear her saying, "You got another one Joey. You got another one."
Robert C. Perks is president of Creative Motivation and author of the book "The Flight of a Lifetime." He is a motivational speaker, Member of the National Writer's Association, and a training consultant with the state of Pennsylvania. He is a contributing author to many inspirational books including a number in the Chicken Soup series. Sign up for Bob's FREE weekly messages, "I Believe in YOU!" by visiting: http://www.BobPerks.com or send an email to: Ibelieveinyou-subscribe@topica.com
"Anyone who has never made a mistake, has never tried anything new." Verse for the Day: "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal." Kid's Thought For The Day: "If you want to make a friend at the beach, start building a really big sandcastle." Parent's Thought For The Day "If you can't open a child proof bottle, use pliers or ask your child." Coach's Thought For The Day "When an archer misses the mark he turns and looks for the fault within himself. Failure to hit the bull's eye is never the fault of the target. To improve your aim, improve yourself." Deep Thought For The Day: "I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken."
Inspired Audio is a brand new offshoot of HeartTouchers.com. Every week we will offer a different audio message that you can listen to right on your computer as you are surfing the net or just getting things done around the house. Be sure to come back and visit each week! This Week: http://www.HeartTouchers.com/Inspired_Audio
Over 40,000 people have listened to popular Chicken Soup Author Michael T. Powers' free inspirational message entitled: "Breathing Life into Others". If you aren't one of them just visit: http://www.HeartTouchers.com and click on the link to listen to the free streaming audio message! __________________________________________
Dear Michael, I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for the beautiful video you made for me! It was so special to see both of my parents in tears as they watched their children grow up in pictures before their eyes! I loved the way you made Estania's part set aside from the rest--that was the part that really got them! The music was beautiful. My mom kept blubbering, "What song is that?" I don't know how you did such a beautiful job with the video in such a short time. I really appreciate your doing it so quickly. You have a wonderful gift, and I thank God that you are using it to create such sentimental memories. I hope that I can find my niche like that in an area that I love. Your video gave us one of our most lasting Christmas memories! I hope yours was filled with moments to be treasured forever! Let me make you a video from your photos! __________________________________________
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Touching Lives - One E-mail at a Time! Author Michael T. Powers - HeartTouchers @ aol.com
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