Do-Overs

Have you ever wanted to do something over again?  A different way the second time.  Usually we don't have that option.  The moment is gone and we can't get it back.

A couple of weeks ago I had that moment to do something different and I didn't take it. And I don't think the same circumstances will ever come up again.


A friend was visiting from the Midwest and we had gone to the Grand Canyon for a couple of days.   

 The weather was beautiful and the canyon was breathtaking.  We did the usual tourist things, tours, historical buildings, curio shopping, taking pictures of everything we saw.
It was a wonderful vacation.

After seeing as much as we could the second day, we started home. It was late afternoon and I decided to stop for gas before getting on the main highway heading south. I pulled up to the pump, entered my credit card, opened the gas cap while my friend went inside the station.  As I turned around to put the nozzle into my tank, there was a young man standing beside me with a gas can in his hand.  He startled me at first, but I really didn't feel any fear. If that makes sense.  He was a nice looking, smaller built man, clean but his clothes were a little shabby.  His voice was pleasant and he was soft spoken. He asked if I could give him some gas.  I asked what for and he pointed to a small older white van parked to the side of the station. He told me he needed gas for his friends van.  They had run out and didn't have enough to get where they needed to go.

As I looked over I saw a lovely young woman standing at the back of the van. For some reason my heart went out to them. I am a pretty good judge of character and I felt these kids just needed some help.  I told him I didn't mind helping them with a couple gallons of gas.  As I filled his gas can we had a short conversation and he seemed to be an intelligent, considerate young man down on his luck.  He thanked me for the gas and then went over and put it in the tank of the van.  At the time I thought they were going to need a lot of gas cans to fill that van.

I finished filling up my car and about that time my friend came back and I told her what had happened.  She agreed that I did the right thing.  As we pulled out of the station the young couple waved to me while she held a sign that said "NEED GAS".  All the way to the highway I kept thinking about that couple and how I wished I had given them more gas.  I even considered going back and doing just that.  BUT I DIDN'T.

Now two weeks later I could kick myself for not doing it.  I don't usually have a good feeling about people asking for money or favors.  But these kids where different for some reason.

It took me back to 1966 when a young couple left California for Oklahoma with 2 small girls and a dog.  Short on cash and hope in their hearts, they watched every penny they spent.  Hoping they made it without going hungry or running out of gas.

So, I am kicking myself and wishing for a do-over.  Hoping that young couple got where they were heading safely.  I know they will never know how I feel but maybe someday I will be given a chance to help another young couple get to where they need to be. 

Oh, the other couple from 1966 made it to Oklahoma just fine with cash to spare and had a very successful life.   

           " May you touch the lives of all who meet you

          by the very force of your spirit and love" Taken from What I wish for You by Hardy-Shamaya-Garuda