The Beer: Tonight, it is a Bogle Cabernet with an 80% cacao dark chocolate. A celebration of sorts.
The Bicycle: I took a three mile walk tonight. I want this to be the start of my road back.
The VRWC:
It has been a long 18 months. I have always believed we would be delivered from this challenge. With help from Charles, Donna and Lori, to whom I am truly grateful, we have been able to hold the line through the opening and closing of Paige's studio, the loss of Paige's mother, the loss of my job. We nearly lost the house and car. The water and electricity have both been shut off at one time or another. There have been times where I have allowed myself to fall into despair. Job applications went out in vain. But my faith, while sorely tested, never wavered.
I am not the best Christian. By far. If I listed all of the ways in which I was not in line with Jesus' teachings, I would need more space than is currently available. But like my Biblical heroes Joseph (of the Coat of Many Colors) and David, God has held faith with me through everything.
I drive Uber. I enjoy it and while it will never pay my mortgage, it helps keep us afloat. Paige's new job,while it pays well, isn't all we need. I enjoy driving. I meet great and interesting people. They tell me their story and I tell them mine. Last week, I picked up Jay in Dallas who was headed for Love Field. As we drove, he asked about me and driving. In the conversation, I mentioned my job search and he asked for contact information. The Engineering firm he owns has a staffing division. I gave him a copy of my resume and that was the end of it. I told him how much I appreciated his interest and had no other expectations. I've been here before. But today, just before noon, I was copied on a email Jay sent to his people with my resume attached. "If you have anything...." Never super encouraging, but better than I had before.
Today was a slow Uber day. I was well below what I expect for weekday earnings. I had resigned myself to calling it a day and waited for Paige to get out of work. As I sat in the parking lot, expecting a wait of over an hour, the Uber driver app pinged me. I never turn down work, so I responded thinking it would be a short trip. I was wrong. She just finished an interview and wanted to go back to Texas Woman's University in Denton. A 40 minute trip. Long trips are Uber "gold". We talked along the way as is my habit. I rejected a call from a number I didn't recognize and I took a bad news call from a friend along the way. He had lost his job for doing the right thing. When we arrived, she hugged me and told me what a blessing I had been to her. Then she wished me Blessings from God and went about the rest of her day. What I was paid for the ride made my earnings day.
As I was leaving, I decided to check a new voicemail. It was from the number I rejected. It was one of the men Jay had emailed. A contract job with a client just came across his desk. It was perfect for me. I don't have it yet, but this makes 3 potentially high paying jobs on the front burner. These things don't happen by accident. After all of our trials and tribulations, our faith may soon be rewarded.
