I Bought Her A Ticket

I bought her a ticket.

Chuck was one of my guiding angels, I met him at a time of great insecurity. He was a business teacher at the college I attended as an adult after my separation from Joanne the mother of my children. I had not gone to school I dropped out of high school and always felt an emptiness as a result. After Joanne and I split it was without hesitation that I enrolled in the university. I had to start at the beginning taking entry level math and English to bring myself up to college levels. This was one of the hardest things I ever did in my life. Surrendering my ego sitting in a classroom of people some of whom young enough to be my child. I am not a quick learner I have to work extra hard to keep up with the class. This was not true once I was able to get into the business track at my school. Here I found a home, the subject matter was easy for me to understand and I was able to excel and even at times stay far ahead of my class. Chuck taught entrepreneurship it was a three semester course. In which time we were to develop one business plan, I developed three. Chuck and I became friends, he took me under his wing. We spent many hours out of class discussing his and my favorite subject, business. He inspired me and was one of the great teachers and mentors I have met on my journey. I gained confidence and knowledge that would serve me the rest of my life. Chuck used to like to tell a story, I can not count the times I heard him tell the story of Hymie, I never tired of hearing the story he had so much fun in it’s delivery and I loved him so much it gave me great joy to see him light up in his amusement of the moral of the Story of Hymie. Hymie was a religious man, and as such he would pray to god daily. On his knees day after day Hymie would tell the Lord of his troubles and ask God to help him win the lottery as this would solve all his problems. His mother was sick she needed medical care. His children were accepted into colleges he could not afford. His wife needed a larger house. Day after day Hymie would repeat his process of asking God to intervene in his destiny and help him win the lottery. Until one day God could no longer stand it and he spoke to Hymie, he parted the clouds and reached down taking Hymies head in his hands looking him squarely in the eyes he said, HYMIE YOU HAVE GOT TO BY A TICKET! From the first day I heard this story I have bought a lottery ticket every day there was a lottery available. Whether I am traveling or not I always seek out the lottery game. It is my way of saying to God that I am open to all possibilities and that I believe in the magic of the universe. Today I stopped into the convenience store close to my house to buy my girl a requested ice cream cone. Debbie loves her Ice Cream. As I entered the store the clerk who I have not seen in over three months almost jumped with excitement seeing me walk through the door. She had missed me and wanted to show me pictures of her new baby, she had been on the look out for my return, this made me feel great. Until now there has really been no fanfare upon my return, few of my friends calling me and less taking the time and effort to see me before I leave again, this has left me a bit sad not that big a deal but admittedly I was flattered that this young woman and I had built strong enough relationship that she missed me to such a degree, that her life would not be complete until she had the opportunity to show me the pictures of her pride and joy. Her name is Jill and she is familiar with my routine. I no sooner walk into the store before she begins to pull my three tickets, separate, and quick picks, this is important to me. Whenever I buy a ticket I ask the seller where they are going to go when I when and I buy them a first class ticket to the destination of their choice. I write on the ticket their name and their dream, taking on a partner in karma. Jill has never changed her mind in all the years I have been buying tickets from her, she wants to go to Jamaica. I realize that I will have to buy her 4 tickets so she can take the whole family and when the day comes I will gladly do so. Today was different, today I bought 4 tickets. Three for me and one for her. As Ruth says the Lord loves an optimist. I bought her a ticket I hope she wins. Jill when you win I want a ticket to Burma, no need for first class, could be no need for a round trip.