Jewells of Thought

Summer is officially here. My niece has been with us for her first stay. So it’s been quite a week to say the least. Last Wednesday was a little slow paced.

For some reason after our morning routine of sugar testing and pill time Uncle Tony wanted us to eat breakfast with him. He doesn’t just come out and say that normally. He likes going through his routine. However, we had Selena with us the night before and she set her alarm for 6:45 along with mine. So we decided we better eat with him.

For some reason I don’t remember if we needed something at Sullivan or what the case was that morning. Oh I remember now, he had to get his tire fixed the day before. On Wednesday he was supposed to get new tires put on, but Dad was working on that supposedly they were to call us about the time. So we were just staying close I guess.

Anyhow, we chose to eat at Hardee’s one of our favorite breakfast spots. Not long after we sat down I noticed a guy sitting down on the other side of us. The first thing I noticed was his hat. The phrase “The Ark” was on his hat I had mentioned to my parents that it would be a good trip for us to make this year for Selena’s birthday gift. Not only would it be some time with her but we didn’t see the animals last time we were there. So it was a fresh reminder of my desire to go back to that special place.

Once we were done and I went up to see about a refill. This older gentleman started talking to me first. I forget what he initially said now. It didn’t take long when I remembered the flannel I was wearing came from Gina’s. Selena and I both were wearing our flannels we got from her. Before he left I had to say I liked his cap.

Later on in the day Selena had mozyed around and it was me Uncle Tony and James. By the time we got the phone call from the tire place Dad had his appointment and they went north so James and I ended up going with Uncle Tony to get his tires put on. It was still a little early. It was actually going to head home since I couldn’t get an answer from either one of them straight. James did say he wasn’t hungry but I think Uncle Tony was.

So Uncle Tony won out and we ended up going to Backstreet earlier than we would normally eat. It was not quite four o’clock I think when we got there to eat and I told them even if you don’t eat now I can just get a salad and you can eat the pizza later. So we went with that. He ended up eating it anyhow. We did have a couple pieces left over but he ended up finding a way to eat some.

The lady did. Again I don’t remember exactly what we started talking about except that it was a good place to eat and that she loved their pizza. She did mention that they were from Bloomfield and they came over here for their doctor’s appointments and I guess my brother goes to the same doctor that they were coming to see. So we could relate a little bit to them and we just kind of talked for about five to ten minutes about doctors and then about the rain and the pizza. Kind of an interesting day the whole day was, to have two different conversations with people starting them up with me was kind of funny that day for some reason.

It was a peaceful day it had rained earlier a bit I guess it kind of reminded me of the Ark with the day being somewhat downcast, rainy and cloudy. Yet the conversations were sweet that day. Being the adaptable one of the family feels good on those days were my purpose feels more needed and my experiences and knowledge sometimes allows me to feel at peace among strangers.

Even a few years later I still enjoy the photos I took from our first trip to the Ark. This story has withstood the test of time and is one of the early accounts in the Old Testament. Plus nearly every civilization has a “Flood Story” so what does that say about its authenticity.

The Lord still works in mysterious ways as He did with the Ark.