What Goes Around Comes Back Around

It's October and we're headed to the Smokies for a mini vacation. 

I'm stuck in traffic with stop and go and mostly stop trying to get through Knoxville TN. I can see up ahead of me a long hauler 18-wheeler trying to merge into our lane from a ramp. It has been stopped and go for about 30 minutes bumper to bumper and the poor operator was being ignored by those ahead of me.

I suppose the mind set of them all were, "The last thing I want is another big rig ahead of me...." so one by one they refused to allow the ol boy access.

Well, I'm cut out of a different bolt of cloth. Roy Dykes raised me different than that. So, as I approached, I stopped and motioned the driver to come on in, dinner is on the table! I'm sure those behind me were not exactly proud of my actions but they'll get over it.

Fast forward a couple hours later as we have finally arrived at our destination, the thrills and frills of Pigeon Forge and all the attractions. My little girl is all oohs and ahhs as we are once again in the thick of things bumper to bumper trying to make our way on over to Gatlinburg and our reserved hotel room. We haven't done this in a few years and when we found out Mikella's school was adjourning from Wed. to Friday, we up and planned our little getaway

As we eased along the three-lane congestion of fellow tourists I realized our target room was 10 miles and 45 minutes away from what my little girl was eying and salivating over. As my mind was calculating the long drive back and forth from our intended target, I made a sudden move. On a hunch I spied a modern upscale hotel in walking distance from some of the attractions and dinner shows and pulled in.

Wonder of wonders, they had a nice two queen bedroom available and wonder of wonder about $400 cheaper than our intended target! (Nice accommodations like a balcony, heated indoor pool for Mikella and a nice modern gym for ol Bro. Mike and so much more.)

So, being a Christian I wanted to do the right thing and so I called the front desk of the intended target and asked if cancellations were available. The nice voice on the phone said, let me check. She returned shortly and said, "Sorry sir, you are past your 48-hour free cancellation period. You will be charged $350 for the cancellation on your card."

My preacher friend Rev. Larry Hoyt always said I had that 'I feel sorry for you' face so I guess my voice took on my facial look to her as I moaned. Her nice voice turned even nicer as she then said, "You know what sir, on second thought I am going to make an exception. I'm going to put down you had a family emergency, and you will not be charged. Have a nice day." Before I could say otherwise, she hung up and I was left gasping for air because I guess we were having a family emergency with our pocketbook about to be $350 poorer!

As I was awaiting being processed in for our newfound blessing, immediately that big ol 18-wheeler passed before my mind and I said to the young lady clerk, "Ma'am, I just got blessed from letting that long hauler come in ahead of me back down the road!"  She smiled and said, "Welcome to the Holiday Inn, just sign here!"

Because what goes around comes back around.

God bless you and God bless America.