I had nothing planned this weekend. I kinda thought we'd be hanging at home for the weekend, taking it easy. I have had school the last two weekends and have school coming up the next two weekends. This was my weekend to chill with the kiddos.
Last Thursday my roommate had mentioned she was going to have a friend over on Saturday morning. She said it in passing, like it was not a big deal.
I wanted to get out of the house and let her have her home to herself and her guest. I spent most of my time Thursday and Friday cleaning and organizing. It was beautiful by Saturday.
Saturday morning came. I woke up around 5am, did my yoga asanas, pranayams, meditation and cleansed myself with the neti pot, the tongue scraper, the dry brush and oil, then a nice hot shower about 15 minutes later.... all Ayurvedic! What a beautiful morning this was. Then I felt like taking the kiddos out and about. We got up and headed to Boulder and I decided it was a good day to go to the gym! I hadn't been there for over a month... it was long over due and very needed.
The kids were great! Everything was just flowing ALL weekend. I had $90 in my account. I was saving it to get my real plates... but after calculating, I knew I'd have some child support by the time my temp expires. So, we needed gas and food and whatever else.... we had a beautiful lunch at Chipotle, headed to the gym (played ball and got on my stair master), then grabbed the kiddos some Jamba Juice, went to the park, then to the thrift store! I let the girls grab two shirts each, the three boys got a couple of items and Mama got a skirt, some cool pants, and some funky, cool jewelry. It was 1/2 price day at Arc! I spent about $45 on all of that. Whatever... not worried that I only had about $20 left and no gas and we still had not hit the grocery store! It'll work out, it always does. ;)
At the last minute, I called my sister. It was about 5pm Saturday and I wasn't too far from her house. I asked if we could come crash so I could give my roommate some space to enjoy her guest. Of course, I got ahold of her right before she was about to leave for the theater. The kids and I headed over there.
My sister and her man, his boy, and one of our girlfriends and her little girl were headed to the Dinner Cinema, where you eat and watch a movie. They offered to take my older three and pay for them. It was such a genuine and heartfelt offer. So, I stayed at the house with the two younger boys and sent my older three off to enjoy a surprise treat. They loved it! So grateful they get to experience things like that. It's not something I have the funds for right now, and they still end up on these outings, just having a blast!
They all got home around 10:00pm. The two youngest were already asleep, so I got the other three tucked in and we all fell asleep.
I got up the next morning and headed to the grocery store to grab some breakfast for the kids. Remember, I only had $20.... I spent $13 at the store on good quality eggs, humane breakfast sausage (on sale! marked down $2), organic milk (on sale! marked down $.99), bananas, and bread... about $7 left.
The moment after I had cooked everything, I decided to go to this church I've been wanting to check out. It's a church of all religions. They say it's based on the Science of the Mind and that all religions have truth to them. It was definitely along the lines of what I believe in, so I went! The kids didn't want to go, so I left the kiddos with my sister and headed to church.
It was super uplifting and had some amazing people there! Everyone was so present and aware. You sit down and go through this guided meditation for the first 15-20 minutes and then onto the sermon. There was a live band with great music. It was very interactive, positive and just beautiful. I will be returning.
I left the church and drove out of the parking lot. On my way across the street, my car started "put-puttin." I thought that maybe it was out of gas. Then it died right after I pulled into the gas station and right before I got it to the pump! A couple of random, sweet strangers helped me push it the rest of the way to the pump. Unfortunately, the gas tank was on the OTHER side of the car.... the line didn't reach. At the moment it was unfortunate, but in the bigger picture, it was fortunate. ;)
I went into the gas station with $7 to my name. The clerk had been watching this all happen so she was aware I was out of gas. I asked if she had a gas container. She said she did and it was already full of gas. She told me I could just have the gas.... free. So amazing.
I took the container to my car and started pouring it into the tank. I got about 1/2 of it in and thought that would be enough to get my car up and running... at least enough to get it to the other pump.
Well, I took the container back into the gas station, went back to my car, and it still wouldn't turn over. At this point I'm thinking it's the fuel filter. They changed the fuel pump about a month ago on my car and said it needed a new fuel filter.... it was going to cost about $120 that I didn't have at that time.
I went back into the station and made a few calls.... my dad, Elma (my girlfriend), my sister's cell, and the house to talk to my kiddos. The kids were great... but I wasn't able to get ahold of anyone that could help.
I then decided to walk back to the church. I went into the church cafe and up to the coffee/latte line. I took some of my only $7 and bought myself a mocha, sat down at the table and started to read my book. I had to take a break and let this go. It was going to work out, I just wasn't sure how.
A gentleman I had seen earlier came over and sat next to me. He had really been suffering emotionally these last few months and felt like sharing. He needed someone to listen. I would guess he was around 50-years-old. I was certainly up for listening and trying to help in any way I could to uplift his spirits.
He had mentioned he lost his job and his girlfriend. He was now on unemployment and living with his 81-year-old mother and felt awful. He was in tears off and on while he was telling his story. He said if I was going to listen, he wanted to buy me an omelette. So, I sat eating my omelette and listening to his stories.
I told him it really only mattered how he felt about himself. It was okay he was on unemployment and actually quite a blessing! I told him to go visit his daughters in Oklahoma and take his golf clubs with him, because he loved to golf! Take advantage of this time you have off... what a blessing.
He was worried that he was worrying his mother too much.... I said what a blessing! It gives her a purpose and something to focus on and love. That is what us mothers do best. What else would she be doing if not that right now?
I told him to write down everything he was grateful for.. good parents that are still alive and well, his health, his beautiful car, and whatever else came to mind.
We had a great, long, uplifting talk.
Then, he said he wanted to give back to me by taking care of my car. I had told him my story before he shared his and he really wanted me to have a functioning car to drive my kiddos around in.
I was so surprised and not sure how to answer him. He then continued to say that I was not going to disrupt his "giving." That giving to me by fixing my car, made him feel good and it was not acceptable for me to take that away from him. Mmmmm.... so grateful.
What a blessing. He drove me to my car, I called the tow truck and this is what happened next... ;)
The tow truck guy beat on my gas tank as I kept trying to turn over the car... it started!
I asked him if indeed it was my fuel filter and he looked at me and said, "No, Dude, you're out of gas!"
LOL!
I moved my car to the other pump. Then the other gentleman from the church quickly inserted his credit card and filled my tank! I don't remember the last time I had a FULL tank of gas. This "stranger" just put $60 in my tank. I am SO grateful and amazed.
The funny thing is he was SO grateful to me, too. We were both just saying thank you, thank you, thank you as we parted. I then drove to my sister's to pick up my kiddos.
From there, we stopped by my dad's and he was so happy to see all of us and in such a great mood!
Now we're home and the kiddos had some warm, honey milk (that I bought with my last couple of dollars) and are sleeping soundly as I go over this beautiful day in my head and feel it in my heart.
I have no money... but a full tank of gas, enough food for tomorrow, sweet, healthy kiddos, and a heart that is overflowing with gratitude.
xoxo
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