What a Wonderful Day

My life is great, it really is; and I’m grateful for everything I’ve got. I know that, if it wasn’t for the Universal energy, the Angels, my guide and my spectacular friends, I wouldn’t be where I am today. My family has helped me some, but not as much as my friends. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family, but none of us were every really close. We don’t have that “Family comes first” credo that a lot of other families have. I’m actually closer to my friends than I am to my family; and I’ve never even met three of my closest friends. (Ellen, Tracy, Connie, you all know who you are. {wink, wink}) One friend, in particular shone through this week, and I had a fabulous day today because of her.

You remember that, in my last post, I mentioned that I’d gotten a call from Stacy about getting my van tagged. Well, she called and asked me if I would accept her help; she was offering me the money to get the van registered and actually asked my permission. That was amazing to me. I told her that the check I was awaiting would be here any day but she explained that she knew what I felt like driving around wondering if I’d get pulled over for some reason, and getting cranky but the kids not understanding why I was cranky and then getting cranky with them. She was right on all accounts; but there was also the driving back streets, trying to stay off of main roads; driving only at night when I could, just to stay off the virtual radar of the police. It was nerve-wracking, especially when an officer was next to or right behind me. I’d sit at a light, or continue driving, with my heart pounding in my chest, wondering just when he’d hit his lights. Luckily for me, the three years I drove without tags, I never got stopped. For that I thank the Angels who gave the officers something else to look at other than my expired temp tag.

Anyway, Stacy offered me the money and I accepted. If she was willing to help, I wasn’t going to turn down the offer. I explained that I had to get the van inspected first, and then I could go to the DMV to get the plates. She said that was fine and that she’d pick me up around 9:00 this morning. I thanked her and hung up. Then a HUGE wave of relieve flooded me and I burst into tears. I had to call Ellen and share the news. I called her at home; nothing but the answering machine. Fuddrucker!!! I called her on her cell and she answered. She and her son had just left the house to do some errands. I told her about my phone call from Stacy and she thought it was just wonderful. She was going to help me out a few weeks before but she just couldn’t; and I understand that. We’re in the same place financially. Then Ellen asked me if I was crying and I squeaked out a “yes” to which she laughed pleasantly saying, “Tears of joy.” No doubt in my mind about that – joy and relief.

Now, Stacy was initially going to drive me to get the tags but, when she realized I still needed the inspection so I’d have to drive anyway, she dropped off the money to me and let me do what I had to do. I immediately made the inspection appointment for 8:00 this morning figuring I’d be at the DMV 45 minutes after they opened. Inspections don’t take that long, and I wanted to be at the DMV early because Dolly was going with me and she still had to be in school later in the morning. I finished my day in a floaty fog, just amazed at the generosity of my friends: Tracy, who did my taxes and wouldn’t charge me; Ellen who, aside from being my sounding board, has sent me money when I’ve needed it and even bought clothing for my kids; and now Stacy, with her wonderful gesture. How lucky am I to have such terrific people in my life? I was really happy when I went to sleep last night.

This morning I got up, got myself ready, helped Dolly get dressed, and then we walked the boys to school. Once we got back home, we made her some chocolate milk, poured some dry honey-nut Cheerio-like cereal in to a bowl, grabbed my DMV paperwork and were out the door. I was at the service station by quarter-of-eight and they had me out of there by 8:20, with a minivan that passed inspection. WOO HOO!! I was on my way. Dolly and I headed to the other side of town to the DMV where we discovered that the office doesn’t open until 9:00 as was posted on the web site. Apparently the DMV offices over here are independently owned and operated (sub-contracted out by the State) so they can set their own hours. The time difference was better for me because there were four people standing outside the door when I arrived and another 12 or so showed up within minutes after I arrived. Cool.

The doors opened and one of the employees gave us all our numbers by working the customer computer thingy for us rather than waiting for us to try to figure it out for ourselves. They’ve to this computer console now where you have to punch in why you’re there so it can spit out the correct number for you. If you’re doing something associated with a license, you’re on one side; anything to do with a motor vehicle and you’re on the other side. I haven’t been at the DMV in over three years so this is all new to me. Anyway, I was number A4, not bad at all. Dolly and I went and sat down in the waiting chairs as the first three people walked up to the “windows” to which they were summoned. Even that’s new. There is no longer a counter that reaches above the head of anyone over 5’ 5”, where you’d get a cramp in your leg after standing on your toes to see the clerk if you had more than five minutes worth of business. Now it’s one long counter, divided into individual work stations by the placement of the computers. There are also chairs for the customers to sit in while they’re conducting their business.

After about five minutes of waiting I heard a computer voice say, “Now serving number A4 at DMV window number six;” and a huge computer screen, it looked like the jumbo-tron in a sports stadium, showed each number being served and at which window, and on which side. Go figure. So I walked up to my window, handed the girl my paperwork and sat down. She just went about the business of going through my paperwork, checking my inspection and insurance cards, and filling out the title paperwork in the computer. Within fifteen minutes, she gave me back my copies of everything, along with my brand, shiny new license plates. I almost started to cry right there. Dolly and I wished her a great day and walked to the parking lot. I opened the van, took out the screwdriver I’d brought with me and installed my new plates on my van. After three long years of fighting and filing complaints, I finally had legal tags on my minivan!!!! I took a picture right there and emailed it to Ellen. (I’d texted her earlier after I passed inspection and was waiting for the DMV to open its doors.) I couldn’t believe it and the relief that ran through me was amazing.

I can finally drive the streets without the worrying and hiding. I was so excited I went home and posted a video of myself on Facebook doing a happy dance. It was great. I also took the kids to Wendy’s for dinner. It’s my favorite fast food place but I haven’t been there in almost three years because it’s across town. Now that I can travel in the daylight and can take main roads without getting tense, I just had to go there. We had a great time, and I’m still in a fabulous mood. I can’t thank Stacy enough for what she did for me. When I get that check I’m waiting for, I’ll make sure she’s paid back her money, but to have one less thing to worry about right now means the world to me. Stacy, I said it before, and I’ll say it again, your generosity knows no bounds. You’re an awesome person and I’m grateful to have you as a friend. Thank you so much for you wonderful gesture. You don’t know what it means to me, nor do I have the words to express it.

Until tomorrow…peace to all.