My son shared this on his Facebook page last night and I wanted to share it with all of you.
It makes me so proud to be an American and re-affirms my faith in the good of all of us.
If Facebook is good for one thing, let it be the hope that the world is a small enough place that this message somehow, someway, reaches this individual.
A Military Career:
Over time, you begin to question your motives for continuing on a path that is, for the most part, a very stressful path for you and your family. That path has and always will have it's rewards, and numerous ups and downs. I watched my family suffer at the expense of my chosen life, watched my wife cry and worry over decisions I've made that take me into harms way, or generally away from home for prolonged periods of time.
You proceed through every day following a creed and moral compass, engrained in you by months or years of training and hardship that, by its nature, sets you apart from everyone at home, and most if not all of your friends.
This ideal in your head constantly tells you to be your best, to treat others with the utmost respect, to show compassion, even when it's hardly ever received. It makes you REALLY enjoy the moments that show you people still care.
Today, as I drove home from drill in my ACU's, I found myself falling into a semi-often thought. I was wondering if my good deeds would ever cash in for some good karma. I was feeling very pessimistic about how people treat each other, and to be honest, I was feeling rather entitled in that I wondered why nothing decent could ever happen to me. I had adopted a common phrase that some people may know. "If I didn't have bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck at all".
However, as I met up with a friend after being released from drill, we made our way up north on N 183. I decided that I needed to get gas finally, as I was less than 1/8 tank in my F150. My friend thought the stop convenient as he needed to get another pack of cigarettes, so we pulled off and stopped at TETCO Gas Station at Lakeline and N 183. I had to drive around once because the most the pumps wouldn't accommodate my larger vehicle. As I pulled into an open pump, I followed the usual routine (turn the truck off, key on for music, open the door, and get frustrated because my card never works at the pump). I was surprised, however, to see my card info start to process through for once this time.
Unexpectedly, this complete stranger at the pump opposite me opens her door and says "Can you cancel that please?". I wasn't quite sure who she was talking to at first, then she repeated the question. Then, I wondered if I had done something wrong. She proceeded to step out of her vehicle, an equally large Chevy SUV, and walks across to repeat the question again. I'm confounded at this point. She rephrases at this point and asks a different question. "May I pay for your gas?" I wasn't quite sure how to respond, and many people in my profession would say and feel the same way. I chose the modest denial route! I said to her, "Ma'am, that's really not necessary". And she pressed on, adamantly! I tried the second guess yourself approach. "Ma'am, I have a 25 gallon tank and it's almost empty". Attempting to encourage her to reconsider...everyone is hurting for money these days. She pressed on, adamantly! I tried the modest denial again...and failed again. I was cornered into allowing her to purchase my fuel.
This complete stranger paid out of her hard earned money, $70 worth of gas for my truck. I was shocked, dumbfounded and so excited about what was happening to me!
After some pleasantries were exchanged and some stories told, we started to part ways. She said thank you one last time, and I had to turn back. I walked up and gave her a hug (actually a couple) and thanked her. Then I drove away.
It is on behalf of this stranger, this woman that happened across my path and reminded me again, that I serve for this country.
It is for the feeling she gave me, an award that trumps anything the military could EVER pin on my chest.
It is for people like this stranger at the TETCO at Lakeline and N 183 that I serve!
