It was a nasty Sunday afternoon. Day 7 of our No power experience, here in East Meadow. I had found the BP Gas Station and was standing, like a trooper, on line with my red plastic gas can. The line was moving slowly, but there was a tall, burly man in front of me, so I veered to the left as he shifted his weight from the right foot to the left. He served as a wall against the late afternoon breeze which draped my disbelief.
"How could I live in such a great community, have a generator, and yet stand on a slow moving line to get some fuel for my home?" No sooner had I thought this, when another thought barreled [in]. People who had lost EVERYTHING they had! How dare I complain (if only to myself) about the long lines and the closed gas stations! God forgive me for my selfish thoughts. I AM truly blessed with all I have! Trying to make the best of an inconvenient situation, I turned my head towards a familiar aroma. "Mmm. What is that?"
Bob, the owner of the BP Gas Station was..could it be?..serving..no way!..yes, way! Bob was serving pizza to all the cold and tired people on line! For a moment, people were stunned by Bob's unexpected generosity. As people started to smile and began speaking to one another, Bob came around with Hot Cocoa! We all thanked him, as he approached each of us, and standing on the line didn't hurt as much.
Now, I am certain, that some of you will be thinking.."Sure..what did he charge you for the gas?!" Truth is it was $3.99. I don't know what Bob was charged for that delivery on Saturday. No one should assume he was ripping us off. All I know is this..he did NOT have to serve us anything. He was not waving a sign, "Get your FREE COCOA HERE with gas purchase!" He did not have to speak to us. Nor, did he have to make us feel a little bit better, by extending his hand in friendship at a time when we were feeling helpless.
I know there are others out there that may follow Bob's lead, once they hear about this. Then again, maybe they won't. We'll see. Today is Day 8 of my No power experience and it's sunny outside. I'm feeling good about everything! I love living in this amazing town of East Meadow where neighbors truly CARE about each other! Thanks, Bob! You're one of these people!!
"It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing, because you can only do little. Do what you can!"~Sydney Smith
Peace!!!
