Defining Moment

I think we all have them in life. Those defining moments when a lesson is etched in stone or mini lessons of life finally all come together and solidify and become part of our soul. Mine seem to come on ordinary days, doing ordinary things. Today one such moment came on my trip to Daytona to renew car registration. I talked Tabitha, Jim's daughter-in-law into riding along with me. We had finished the business of my car registration and was headed west on International Speedway Blvd. in Daytona. We were stopped in a line of cars at a traffic light next to a Krispy Crème Doughnut Shoppe ,when out of the corner of my eye, I spotted what looked like a homeless couple sitting on the grass under a palm tree. I didn't want to stare but then I also didn't want to ignore them, as if they didn't exist. They also caught me eye and the man waved. It was so hot and humid. The AC in the car was running on full blast and in contrast, they were sitting out in the elements beside a hot asphalt paved parking lot. The man was occasionally wiping his forehead and the women was hanging her head to shield it from the sun. I wasn't sure what to do. Should I pull into the parking lot and ask them if they would like a drink? Should I stop staring at them. Am I making them feel uncomfortable? Maybe they aren't homeless?  Maybe their car is broken down? Quickly things ran through my head but before I could act on anything, the light turned and traffic moved. I guess they just looked miserable sitting on the ground in the heat. The woman was extremely thin. When confronted with a situation like this I always think of the song "What if God Was One of Us?" I've thought about the "Women in Black" this past week and how many folks went up to her offering her food, drink and money but wondered how many people would drive by this couple today and offer nothing. How do we decide who is worthy of help? How do we decide when to stop? What if God is one of us on any given day? Humility also came to mind and that verse "but for the grace of God." Who are we to judge?  What is their story? So I sit here tonight and wonder.... Who were they? What is their story and why didn't I pull over? So what is the defining moment here? I should have pulled over.

Still looking for an answer

I just have to publicly ask myself a few questions? Why would a mayor and council favor a chronic complainer over a well established elderly couple in Rowlesburg? The chronic complainer has lived in Rowlesburg less than a decade or so and contributed little to the town. My parents have lived on Oak Street almost 60 plus years. My Dad always worked and my Mom was a stay at home housewife/mother. They taught Sunday School, volunteered at school and for community activities. My Dad was a scout master and my Mom was a UMYF leader. My Dad was a councilman and a park commissioner. They both volunteered countless hours to the Rowlesburg Park and town. The chronic complainer has made my elderly parents miserable with her bogus complaints and evil antics, yet the government of the town continues to cater to her and her demands. Last week she allowed folks to do what she complains about parking on the yellow, parking on the sidewalk, etc. I guess it was OK since she was reaping the fruits of free, charity labor. My brother was not allowed to park on Oak Street to visit his parents when he was dying from cancer because of her yellow lines and the other self proclaimed Christians on council supporting her. Why?  Why were the people last week allowed to break the laws but a man dying of cancer is shown no mercy? I have heard this women is a Christian. I don't believe it. I am more inclined to believe what someone else told me which is ... she uses God/Religion to con people to do things and get things. She is a church floator. Floating from one church to another, getting members to feel sorry for her and give her things, until they figure her out and then she moves on. That is not my definition of a Christian. My parents have belong to one church, Christ United Methodist, on Main Street in Rowlesburg, their entire marriage. She surrounds herself with no trespassing signs, security cameras, fences, and gates and blames others for her actions. I have talked to others she has manipulated and scammed. I have heard her husband described as a handicapped veteran. He may be a vet but he was not injured or wounded or handicapped because of his service. This is a total misrepresentation and a dishonor to those vets that were truly handicapped due to war injuries. They are system users and manipulators waiting for the next con or handout, so why would a town, reward such behavior and turn its back on my parents?  Any ideas because I just don't get it unless as my Dad said "Birds of a feather flock together."