The Cab ride

"The Cab Ride"

When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window.
Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, and then drive away.
But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation.
Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door.
This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.

So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice.

I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened.
A small woman in her 90's stood before me.
She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years.
All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters.
In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.
She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness.
"It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated".

"Oh, you're such a good boy", she said.

When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"

"It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.

"Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued.

"The doctor says I don't have very long."

I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

"What route would you like me to take?" I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city.

She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds.

She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now"
We drove in silence to the address she had given me.
It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up.
They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.
They must have been expecting her.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door.
The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. "How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.

"Nothing," I said "You have to make a living," she answered.

"There are other passengers," I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you." I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.

Behind me, a door shut.

It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk.

What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?

What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.
But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, ~BUT~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

Nikki

Something scary just occurred to me------

With the violence that is happening in our public schools, I just had a thought occur to me today.
I need to start checking backpacks upon the children coming to my home in the morning and after school.

With me opening up my home to families that come from all walks of life, I need to make sure that no weapons of any kind come into my home.

It never occurred to me until today that I would have to do this. But , its better to be safe than sorry.

Its sad that these days, this precaution has to be taken.

Very, very sad..................

Pray for children all over the world....
NIkki

Who DOESN"T love a bit of logic.....

Oh how I wish this kind of logic actually worked!!!!
Who's with me on this one :)
Nikki

Denial is in the eye of the person denying :)

Boy do I relate to that little cartoon somedays!!!!

What reality will you guys accept?

Maybe we all need a reality check.

Sometimes I have such bad days...but they are bad to me but not to anyone else. Thats when I have to step back and really take a look at the situation. Maybe its not as bad as it seems. Sometimes my reality is based on my hormonal state.

YIKES>>>>>Did I really admit to that?

Hahaha!!!!

God and Potato Chips......

Is God Dancing on Your Potato Chips?

Not too long ago I had "one of those days."
I was feeling pressure from a writing deadline.
I had company arriving in a couple days and the toilet was clogged.
I went to the bank, and the trainee teller processing my deposit
Had to start over three times.
I swung by the supermarket to pick up a few things
And the lines were serpentine.

By the time I got home, I was frazzled and sweaty
And in a hurry to get something on the table for dinner.
Deciding on Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup,
I grabbed a can opener, cranked open the can,
Then remembered I had forgotten to buy milk at the store.
Nix the soup idea. Setting the can aside, I went to plan B,
Which was leftover baked beans.
I grabbed the Tupperware container from the fridge,
Popped the seal, took a look and groaned.
My husband isn't a picky eater,
But even HE won't eat baked beans that look like caterpillars.
Really frustrated now, I decided on a menu that promised
To be as foolproof as it is nutrition-free:
Hot dogs and potato chips.
Retrieving a brand new bag of chips from the cupboard,
I grabbed the cellophane and gave a hearty pull.
The bag didn't open. I tried again. Nothing happened.
I took a breath, doubled my muscle, and gave the bag a hearty wrestle.
With a loud pop, the cellophane suddenly gave way,
Ripping wide from top to bottom.
Chips flew sky high. I was left holding the bag, and it was empty.It was the final straw. I let out a blood curdling scream.
"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!"

My husband heard my unorthodox cry for help.
Within minutes he was standing at the doorway to the kitchen,
Where he surveyed the damage:
An opened can of soup, melting groceries, moldy baked beans,
And one quivering wife standing ankle deep in potato chips.
My husband did the most helpful thing he could think of at the moment.
He took a flying leap, landing flat- footed in the pile of chips.
And then he began to stomp and dance and twirl,
Grinding those chips into my linoleum in the process!
I stared. I fumed. Pretty soon I was working to stifle a smile.
Eventually I had to laugh. And finally I decided to join him.
I, too, took a leap onto the chips. And then I danced.
Now I'll be the first to admit that my husband's response
Wasn't the one I was looking for.
But the truth is, it was exactly what I needed.

I didn't need a cleanup crew as much
As I needed an attitude adjustment,
And the laughter from that rather funky moment provided just that.
So now I have a question for you, and it's simply this:
Has God ever stomped on your chips?
I know that, in my life, there have been plenty of times
When I've gotten myself into frustrating situations and
I've cried out for help, all the while hoping God would show up
With a celestial broom and clean up the mess. What often happens instead is that God dances on my chips,
Answering my prayer in a completely different manner
Than I had expected, but in the manner that is best for me after all.

Sometimes I can see right away that God's response was the best one after all.
Sometimes I have to wait weeks or months before I begin to understand
How and why God answered a particular prayer the way he did.
There are even some situations that, years later, I'm still trying to understand.
I figure God will fill me in sooner or later, either this side of Heaven or beyond.

Do I trust Him?

Even when he's answering my prayers in a way
That is completely different from my expectations?
Even when he's dancing and stomping instead of sweeping and mopping:?
Can I embrace what He's offering?
Can I let His joy adjust my attitude?
Am I going to stand on the sidelines and sulk,
Or am I willing to learn the steps of the dance he's dancin' with my needs in mind?
I'll be honest with you: Sometimes I sulk. Sometimes I dance.
I'm working on doing more of the latter than the former.
I guess the older I get the more I realize that
He really does know what He's doing.
He loves me and I can trust Him.
Even when the chips are down.

~Author Unknown

One more reason that I homeschool....

I love collecting articles like this. Its sick to see how young these children are that these problems are coming from. Oh thank God for the ability to homeschool.
The first one is about a 7 year old bringing a loaded gun to school.
The second on is a 3rd grade classs plotted to hurt their teacher.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/04/01/school.guns/index.html

http://www.news4jax.com/news/15755299/detail.html

So many people think this doesn't happen in young children. They think it only happens to hormonal teens....Look again people.
Be careful....
Pray for these children. All children in the public school system
Nikki

What do you see when you look at nature?

Daily Christian Wisdom

I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting system though which God speaks to us every hour; if we still only tune in.


-George Washington Carver

More interesting thoughts :)

Opportunity may knock once,
but temptationbangs on your door forever.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Quit griping about your church;
if it was perfect,
you couldn't belong.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

If the church wants a
better pastor,
it only needs to pray
for the one it has.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God Himself does not propose
to judge a man
until he is dead.
So why should you?

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Some minds are like concrete,
thoroughly mixed up and
permanently set.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Peace starts
with a smile.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

I don't know why
some people change churches;
what difference does it make
which one
you stay home from?

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

A lot of church members
who are singing
'Standing on the Promises'
are just
sitting on the premises.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

We were called to
be witnesses,
not lawyers or judges.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Be ye fishers of men.
You catch them -
He'll clean them.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Coincidence is when
God chooses
to remain anonymous.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Don't put a question mark
where God put a period.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Don't wait for 6 strong men
to take you to church.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Forbidden fruits
create many jams.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God doesn't call the qualified,
He qualifies the called.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God grades on the cross,
not the curve.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God loves everyone,
but probably prefers
'fruits of the spirit'
over 'religious nuts!'

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God promises a safe landing,
not a calm passage.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

He who angers you,
controls you!

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

If God is your Co-pilot -
swap seats!

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Prayer: Don't give God instructions
just report for duty!

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

The task ahead of us
is never as great as
the Power behind us.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

The Will of God
never takes you to
where the Grace of God
will not protect you.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

We don't change the message,
the message changes us.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

You can tell how big
a person is
by what it takes
to discourage him.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

The best mathematical equation
I have ever seen:
1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

~~~Nikki here :) Some great thoughts. WHere do people find these little things that they pass on thru emails :)
Be Blessed

Happy Easter !!!

I wanted to wish you all a wonderful Happy Easter!!!!

It is a day to rejoice about!!!!

May your day be blessed :)

Nikki

Just stuff :)

Good morning all!
Yes, for me its 6:30 in the AM and I am up. NOT awake, but up. Still working on coffee cup number one.

Daycare has done alot for me but one thing is get me up in the morning. SOmetimes when my before school kids have gotten off to school, I would climb back into bed for a couple of hours but that will stop as of Monday because I have new kids starting.

A family of 3 kids will be here. One is 6 and will be before and after school but because it will still be spring break on Monday, he will be here all day. Then I have his two sisters. One is almost 3 and one is 4. They will be full time as well. About 8:00 am to 4 or so PM. I am excited but apprehensive. My work really begins now. Josh who is one of my before and after school kids and is 7 will be here all day on Monday as well so 4 kids all day. Haven't had that in a LONG time. Financially its a good thing. Of course, I won't see most of the money until the state sends me a check on the 20th of the month. But it will come.

WIth daycare I have to be VERY organized. I have paperwork to fill out daily and computer programs that have to be kept up with. I have to keep up with my laundry and house cause with people coming in daily, things have to be kept clean.

I'm glad Angel and Tony are done with school for the year. THey finished their end of the year testing and just have to work on little things like reading and stuff that I want them to practice all summer.

Since one of my before and after school kids will go full time in the summer, I am not going to fill his day spot. Sooo that means I have a spot for one more child.

The stomach bug has been kinda hitting us. A couple of the kids haven't felt really good lately.

I hate this time of year when everyone is sooo sick.

Well, thats it I guess.

Its Easter Egg decorating today.
Nikki

Why go to Church?

~Nikki here..I'm reposting this from an email I got. I thought it had a great point!!!

Why go to Church?

If you're spiritually alive, you're going to love this!
If you're spiritually dead, you won't want to read it.
If you're spiritually curious, there is still hope!

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday.

"I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor.

It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: "I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals.

But I do know this.. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work.
If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today.
Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"

When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something!

Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible!

Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!

All right, now that you're done reading, send it on! I think everyone should read this!

"When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, "Jesus, could you get that for me?"

What does YOUR child see?

This was sent to me in an email and I thought it was worth passing along. Give it alot of thought :)


WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you praying to God, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in Him too.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care "the least of these my brethren."


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given to be good stewards.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt , but it's all right to cry.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared what I did and what happened to me and I wanted to be everything that I could be to please you and God.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."


---Nikki here....many good things to think about.
But many things to pray for too. I know a family that is very close to my heart that are going thru some TERRIBLE difficulties....Satan is attacking their family head on and they need prayers. I don't wish to name them hear but God knows who they are and what they need just please pray for these friends of mine. Thank you

Friday has arrived!!!

This was my first "real" week of working with daycare. I mean, I've had the 2 year old here and there but this week I had a real schedule to work with for my before and after school kids.
It was great. The two school age kids I have are great. The 10 year old plays great with both Angel and Tony!!! They get along sooo well together.

On Monday I will find out if I have two more kids enrolled. A baby who is 5 months, and his sister who is 3. That will be like 8-4. I would LOVE that!!! So, things are coming along.

Its been slow but slow is good for me in order to get used to doing this full time again.

I have many plans with this extra money.
1. Pay off bills
2. Fix up my house
3. Do things with kids we haven't been able to do for a while . For example, weekend trip to Pittsburgh or something. Cedar Point this summer....etc.

I can't wait.

If anyone in the Martins Ferry area or Wheeling area read this and know someone who have some baby items they are planning to sell at a yard sale, let me know. I am looking for things like a bouncy seat, exersaucer, play ring, anything to help with a baby and keeping him occupied and happy.

Today, I feel good. Better than I have in a couple of days. There was a stomach thing going around. Joey had it pretty bad but hopefully he is doing better.

May God Bless you all!!!
Nikki

Calling all Homeschoolers!!!!

Where is Spring?

The above picture speaks more words than I can write...

Many are ready for spring and I am definitely one of them!!!

I had my food program interview yesterday and all went well. YES!!! Also had an interview with a mom for after school care for her 10 year old son. It went great. He hit it off with Angel and Tony pretty well too!!!

Ok I'm off to check about this crazy weather I'm hearing alot about.

Some say we are getting alot but so far, I haven't seen that ....

Later gators :)

Nikki

More info on me..

Todays question:

Who gave you your name and why? Did you have a family nickname? How did you get it?

My name, Nikki is not short for Nicole as some may think. It's just plain old " Nikki".

My dad's name is Nick so being the first born in the family, I was named after my dad. Its funny because I have only one sibling and her name is Tami. She is 5 years younger than me and I am named after my dad but she is most like him lol.

Nicknames for me? Well, family all called me Nikki Sue growing up. WHen I visit family now, I feel like I'm 10 again being called Nikki Sue but hey, it IS my name but that is how my family knew me.

~~~~Ok Nikki here....I hope these little question and answer things are interesting enough for you all!! I am posting a new and updated photo of the family that was taken at Christmas time!

ENjoy

Nikki(aka Nikki Sue)

A bit more personal...

I have this book called Reflections from a Mother's Heart.
Its a bit like a journal but there are things you write about that you would like to preserve for your children. What I am going to TRY to do is write from it on my blog a little ....to give my readers..(however many there are of you lol) a little insight to me.

What was your favorite pastime as a child? Did you prefer doing it alone or with someone else?

What comes to mind is a card game that my Grandma Baker taught me when I was a little girl.
You see, alot of my childhood I lived only a few seconds away from my Grandmothers house.
When I grew up and went back to the old house, it had been torn down but my view of her place and my old house was not what I thought it was. Its great to keep memories because they are a huge part of who we are as individuals.
She and I would play a card game called Nutsie.(not sure if this is the correct spelling)
It was kind like solitaire but it was a game that could be played with more than one person. I couldn't explain to you how it is played but it was something that came to mind when I read the above question.
I preferred playing it with other people. I don't usually like playing games alone anyway.

I challenge you to think about this question a while and find your own favorite pastime as a child also. Why did you enjoy it?

Be Blessed on this beautiful Lord's Day.
Nikki

Navy Transition....

Something hit me the other day that never occured to me before.
It was the fact that I won't be moving again in 3 years lol. It may seem very simple to most but for a person who moved 17 times in 20 years, its a big deal.

I was thinking about the friends I've made since moving to Ferry and it occured to me these are the friends I will have for a long time. Its awesome!

I was thinking about Angel's best friend Sydney and it occurred to me that this is someone she will grow up with and won't have to leave again!!!

What a great relief!!!! There are still many transitions that I go thru. Some DAILY.....with Mike retiring from the Navy. But all in all, things are smoothing out alot. God has straightened a path that I thought for a while to be Mt. Everest. God is good.

I am very thankful to be back home after being gone for so long.

I love my church family! Its great knowing I don't have to find another one in 3 years. Of course, I struggle with trying to fit it all in. I want to serve in so many ways in my congregation but I have to serve my family too. Not only take care of my own family but also run my own daycare business. I know with having my own daycare, I serve families who would not have encountered God in any other way. Whether they are here for a few days or a few months, I plan to be the light that some have never even seen!

Be Blessed
Nikki

Whats New?

Hi everyone!
I am in the process of gathering my resources to start my preschool program each morning from 8:30 - 11:30. I have developmental skills checklist for 2 years old thru Pre K and try to work with each child to attain those skills before Kindergarden.

I seem to have a problem though.

It seems people are looking down on me. Not sure why....

Yes, I have mostly been a stay at home mom for the past 20 years but during that time, I've had my own daycare business for most of that 20 years. I've been state licensed, state certified and Navy certified. I've also been a big part of my own soap and body care business before where I made and sold items I made.

I know about my own business, I know about teaching as I've been homeschooling for many, MANY years.

I make it my business to know children and when I tell people I have my own daycare, they ask me if I TEACH anything to children????
Teaching is my business and raising these children to be GODLY adults is included. Not only do I teach the basic skills, I run my business like I live my life, to give the glory to God. I let people know that I am a Christian and will run my business likewise which means teaching the Bible and stories in the Bible and character lessons that bring about Godly character.

Just because I don't have a college degree doesn't mean I'm less than someone who does.
Anyway, guess I needed a vent!!
Thanks for listening!