We didn’t realize what was on the road ahead of us.
We were expecting our first child and were dancing on air. I was sicker than a dog but certain it would all be good. Even better when my husband, Dave’s tour of duty in the Navy would be over and we could get on with life. He had just completed training in the Navy.
Within a month we would receive orders on where he would be stationed. Having no ‘home’ to return to we relied on our parents. Two weeks each should get us through the wait.
We loaded our goods in a small rented trailer and headed for Michigan. Living in Millington, Tennessee was much like camping. We were there a mere four months so only had the bare essentials.
As we traveled, Dave commented, “Soon we are going to have to get some gas.”
Then I feel asleep. Allow me to note here, nagging can be a good thing and sleeping on the job not so good. We ran out of gas.
I was awake by then and we reasoned he would walk up the incline to see if there was a gas station nearby.
Did I mention this was wintertime? The poor guy was wearing those lovely polyester pants so popular at that time. They had zero warmth and the wind was blowing.
I glanced around our stranded location. It occurred to me I should have warned him not to accept any rides.
Don’t be silly, he’s a grown man. He wouldn’t do anything as risky as getting into a stranger’s car.
My gaze returned to his path in time to see him climbing into a car that pulled over for him. Panic seized me and instantly I lost it. Mentally I knew he was going to be slaughtered and thrown out in some ditch. I sat there sobbing at the side of the road, waiting for the police to come tell me the horrible news.
I was going to have to raise this child alone. What would become of us?
As expected, the police came. Having seen our car at the side of the road, and Dave walking back my way with a gas can, they picked him up. How dare he be alive and well! I was still in my devastated mode trying to figure out how I would carry on without him.
After settling me down, we traveled on, stopping for the night. We awoke the next morning to snow. A lot of snow. Dangerous driving kind of weather. But continue we must.
The traffic made two ruts of the road. In front of us cars were losing control left and right providing several close encounters. Miraculously no one hit us. It’s frightening to have a vehicle heading right for us and seeing the passengers inside screaming. However, they did clear a path allowing us forge on.
We were almost at our destination when the transmission gave out on the car.
Lord, what more?
I’ve since learned not to ask him that.
In that month long wait, a family member got me a doctor appointment concerning my excessive morning sickness. The meds were costly, but they got me over the hump and I felt much better.
Looking back at that ‘season’ of life I’m in awe of God’s protection. True, we experienced some thrills and chills but thankfully nothing on earth lasts forever. His love does.
One Day Wonders with JBK 