My "Ah-Ha's": Installment 1

It's been a while!


Over the course of the last few weeks I have encountered several situations that resulted in me having an "ah-ha" moment of life. You know, some of those "loud thoughts from God." He gives me these "thoughts" through a sermon, a colleague, a friend, or just through observations of others (students, parents, and general society). While at the time, I thought, "Oh, I need to blog about this", time got away and I've yet to mention any of them. Then I ask myself, "Do I try to cover it all in this one blog? Can I provide justice to how they matter to this principal? Not that my blogs are something to recommend for daily reading, but it matters to me.

For many years now, Sunday has been a Sister Shopping Day. My sister and I hit Target and possibly other "needed" stops. Over the years, niece M and nephew K have joined us for this journey. Sometimes we go for "needs" and sometimes we go to go. A couple of Sunday's ago we began adding another stop to our day -- Sonic (Happy Hour prices only). While we waited on our drinks, I noticed that the birds had really left a lot of gifts on my car Friday evening while parked at ACU. I asked if everyone was game for the car wash . . . Yes! (coming from the dude who once freaked at mention of the words). I like to support X-Stream car wash not only b/c you get a great wash and the neat deals of the day, but also b/c they support Big Brothers and Big Sisters. My usual car wash day is Sunday b/c I can at least get $2 off since I am a teacher (always). Occasionally, you will qualify for one of their quirky specials. On the way there, I casually said, "maybe we will have something in the car that will get me a free car wash." It's always so interesting to see what they come up with. We sit in line for quite a while, watching some cars go ahead of their turn but once up to the front I ask the guy what the "special" is. He says, "Well, you can get a free wash if you have a lottery ticket in your car."

I have to now interject that my nephew has this thing about collecting stuff -- once it was Dumb-Dumb sucker wrappers; there's been those "fake" credit cards to promote credit cards; the pamphlets from hotels; the paint swatches at Lowes. You name it he has probably collected it. Not moments before he had asked if I had any receipts he could have, pointing to the orangey one with #'s and the word LOTTO on it. I told him know on that one.

As the guy completes his sentence, Trina and I both grab the lottery ticket and reply, "Like this one?" BINGO ! (or maybe I should say Lotto) I got a free wash!

While none of this really matters in the whole scheme of things, I did feel like I had really one something. The real matter of the occasion was the blessing of a Sister-Niece-Nephew day and the fun and laughter we shared. For this principal, family memories matter.

Stayed tuned for My Ah-Ha's: Installment #2.