When I left work today I realized that I had to get gas or my car would run out before I got home. I wasn’t being stupid about it, but I didn’t stop this morning because I knew I had time to do so after work.
My mind was racing because, well, that’s what it does. My brain was filled with thoughts of the workday and a meeting about the school year for next year and then I was thinking about home and lesson plans and my blog and genealogy and, and, and…
I pulled into the gas station, ran inside and gave the guy working there “$20 for pump 10, please.” Then I power walked back to my car, got back in and continued to drive home.
Have you noticed the step I forgot to take in my madcap pursuit of the afternoon?
About 10 minutes later I looked down and the yellow you-better-watch-out-because-you’re-going-to-have-an-empty-gas-tank-soon light was shining brightly up at me.
AAAAUUUUGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!
I never put the gas in my car. I paid for it and then just left. WHO DOES THAT??
I raced back praying that a miracle had occurred and that no one had pulled up to that particular pump. But it showed a previous purchase of $86.02. Obviously, $20 of that had been my $20. But what kind of a vehicle holds that much gas?
I ran inside and explained what happened. They felt sorry for me. So I handed over the $15 I had left, walked slowly back to the car and with the precision and stealth of a jaguar, I put gas in my car.
Well my prayers were answered, but not in the way I expected. I had prayed that no one had used my $20. Then I tried to let go of the feeling that I was an idiot. Everyone makes mistakes and it’s not like the shock of the century that I lost focus and forgot to do something.
On my way back home, there had been a 5-car crash. An SUV was on it’s side, facing the wrong way. Two different front wrap-around grills (that’s not what they’re really called but you know what I mean) were in the road. Glass and stuff from the cars were strewn everywhere.
However, I was not strewn everywhere.
Had I not had to go back to the gas station I would have been in that very same spot at roughly the same time as the accident. My prayer was answered, but in a different way.
Losing $20 possibly saved my life.
saneteachers 
That is scary! Glad you are ok.
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I’m sure lots of people go past accidents and think if I were here just 5 minutes earlier that could have been me. But today it seemed like it really could have been me. But what a knucklehead to leave without getting the gas. Have you ever done that?
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In truth, no. Mostly because I worry obsessively about running out of gas and never even let it go below half full. I have done lots of silly things, though. Like once trying to pay the rent the day *before* payday–the people in rent office were quite confused. Or the time when I lit a firecracker in my hand. (Granted I was 11 years old at the time, but still…)
I’m sure I can think of more. I’ll post them when I do.
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Or when I put a knife in the toaster….
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I once was unplugging a power strip from an outlet and accidentally touched the metal prongs before they were completely out of the outlet.
Strangely, it didn’t really hurt–felt more like a wave of warm water went up the inside of my arm.
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oh no! I don’t know which is more terrifying. That it happened, or your description of it.
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OMG. I was talking to you when you pulled in! Didnt you call me when you left the gas station too#
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Gotta love speaker phones! Proof that I cannot think and do at the same time.
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It pays to be forgetful sometimes. Glad you’re ok, Barb. In Canada, we pay for gas after we fill up the car, like normal people.
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haha Here people would drive away without paying. Only I would pay and then drive away without the gas.
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You should’ve gone back a third time and said, “Hi, I lost $35 here…anyone find it?”
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HAHAHA That would have been AWESOME. I wish I had thought of that.
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We still have a few gas stations around here that don’t force you to prepay. It’s Tarzan’s pet peeve that gas stations automatically assume you’re a thief. I have never paid for gas and forgotten to fill up, but I have forgotten to unhook the gas pump and drove away, pulling it off the machine. The better story is about the time I almost left the house without pants. This really happened.
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POST THAT STORY!
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Good idea. I am keeping a list of blog entry “topics”… I’ll add that and move it to the top of the list. It was years ago, in 2011 I think. I’m pretty sure I made a Facebook post about it when it happened… I’ll have to go back and read it to remind myself exactly how it all went down. If Tarzan hadn’t stopped me, I’m 100% certain I would have left the house without pants.
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When an idea occurs to me, I write it down as well. This one just happened today. As I was driving home, I thought this one I’ll write tonight.
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So glad you weren’t involved in the accident. It’s kind of like a quote I love: rejection is God’s protection. Though you weren’t rejected in this case, it’s along a similar theme. Something good came out of something bad.
But I have to admit, I did get a good chuckle over what you did. I’m so glad I’m not alone in these things. Though I’ve never forgotten to pump my gas, I have forgotten bags at the grocery store. 🙂
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Oh, and thank you for the Twitter share of Barb’s review of my book (the other Barb 🙂 ).
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Not only do I adore you and your writing, the Barbs have to stick together!
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Thank you so much for your kind words. Am blushing. I’m also sending you virtual warm bread pudding loaded with vanilla ice cream and a dollop of whipped cream. Bon appetit!
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That’s almost mean…yet it’s lovely at the same time. I might have to go get a Girl Scout Cookie now.
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😄👍
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Oh I’ve done that too. And one time I bought $200 or so dollars of food and just walked out. Luckily the cashier ran after me. I think I need to do a “crazy things I’ve done” post.
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Ha, I’d definitely read that. I could no doubt relate!
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It’s to know we aren’t all crazy, lol.
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So scary but I’m glad you are okay. And yes, I believe things happen for a reason 😱❤️
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Thank you for reading this and commenting! I agree and I miss you ❤
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Amazing how God works. We never know what he’s protecting us from.
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Agreed!
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yikes!! so glad you are safe!! ❤️
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Thank you. I don’t know if the timing would have been right, but it really made me think. And put the loss of $20 in perspective.
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That was close. It’s amazing how things work.
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Yes! Maybe not too close, but it really put things in perspective.
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It’s all a question of timing. Slightly different for me, but if I hadn’t lost my weight, we would not have found the lump so early and things could have been so different. Glad you’re OK.
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That is so true. And your situation is so much more significant than mine. It is good for me to be aware that even small actions have consequences, either good or bad. Or both, actually.
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It never ceases to amaze me how a tiny decision – or a tiny mistake – can have a powerful impact on life.
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I just responded with the exact same thought, although using different words, on a comment made here by pensitivity101.
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What a story, Barb! This is a classic case of things happen for a reason. It wasn’t meant to be. Glad you got out of it. That 20 bucks was worth it! 🙂
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Maybe not as close a call as it could have been. But it really mentally slapped me in the face to remember the power of prayer and the unintended consequences of little things. You’re right. The $20 was definitely worth it.
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There are angels watching over you. In the form of 20 dollars. 😀
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lol
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Good thing you don’t sky dive.
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HAHAHAHA
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Dang, that was far too close for comfort! Glad it ended well. Certainly twenty dollars well spent!
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Probably wouldn’t have happened at all. But it did bring me up short and remind me of the need for patience with myself and others.
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WOW and WOW again! What an amazing gift and a reminder that all our answered prayers aren’t necessarily answered in the way we want them, but perhaps in the way we need them. I have to say I almost wet my pants when I read the first part of this. I did this very thing at a McDonald’s but it only involved a cup of coffee :). Thanks for sharing this fun and uplifting story. Love your blog.
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Haha! I like it when people get a kick out of my writing, but I’m glad that you didn’t go so far as to…….really funny comment. And thanks not only for reading and commenting on this, but also for the compliments!
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God works in mysterious ways
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That is so true.
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