Day 10 - con't...
- Jul 6, 2017
- 2 min read
OK! Here we go, again. My alarm goes off at 6am every morning. I always think I should be on the road by 8. I usualy hit the road by 9. Today, I plan to leave by 9. That just makes everything easier!🙂
Ok, Dave... I arrived in Hicksville, IN (not to be confused with NY) in time for lunch. I didn't have to search long for a place to stop. Right on the outskirts of town was "Charlie's Famous Bar". It looked just like the place you should run away from in a horror movie,except for the family mini van and another bicycle parked out front. So, I went inside.
I walked right in to Hicksville's version of Cheers! It was pretty classic! There was a lively conversation going on about the ingredients of beer when I walked in, which morphed into a discussion about when the new public toilets at the park were going to be completed. Most of this was led & directed by Dave, a retired gentleman, who held (as far as I could tell) his normal place at the center of the bar. As I sat, quiet as a mouse, listening to the banter, other "regulars" came in. Dave was questioning the soon-to-be HS senior about his future plans, the table behind filled with "the boys" who teased Dave about his crazy ideas, and some boys played pool while their dad ordered lunch...
When it was time for Dave to leave, he stopped to chat with almost everyone. They all said something to the effect of, "bye, Dave, see you next time!" Less than a minute later, he came back in (to the appropriate ribbing, of course). "No, I didn't forget anything!", he said, "I've just got to find out whose bike that is." He walked over to me (and all eyes followed) and asked, "Is that your bike out there?" (It was the obvious choice of customer.)
Since he was the owner of the other bike out front, he had some stories to tell and some questions to ask. After my conversation with Dave, he left, and suddenly, I was one of the regulars. I finished up my meal, gathered my things, thanked the wait staff, said good-bye to "the boys", and got a round of "Good-bye", "Good luck", "Enjoy your ride", "Be careful!", as I left.
It was just what I needed to continue on my way: food for the body & food for the soul. 😊
So, today I thank God for
-the workers & customers at Charlie's Famous Bar
-wind at my back
-unlocked church doors
-strangers who become friends
-friends who know you inside & out
Speaking of which... gotta get moving so I can get to the McDonald's on exit #278 sometime today. Kim's picking me up there. Then I get a few days respit with friends in Indianapolis. Looking forward to it! Praying your day opens your eyes to the friends in your life!
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