I had no phone, no cash, no gas but, as it turned out, no problem

FROM MY FRONT PORCH

Sam Houston is the publisher of the Hood County News. He is also an actor, author, playwright, performer and entertainment producer/promoter.

Do you recall the days before cell phone service and electronic money? Everyone nowadays has a cell phone that gives them the ability to communicate with others. We have all gotten so accustomed to being able to instantly connect, we forget the time before cellphones and how troubling it could be. The same goes for debit and credit cards. In today’s world, few young people carry cash in any form. They simply carry a “card” and transact their business. Such was not always the case.

It was my freshman year in college, and I had traveled home to see my folks during a vacation break. Before I left to go back to school, I wanted to make a quick trip to see my grandparents who lived in a rural part of the state some four hours away. My Mom liked my idea and happily agreed to allow me the use of her car. Being a college kid, I was broke, but Mom gave me a check to cash. My folks still banked at their old hometown bank and once I got to where the grandparents lived and cashed it, I would have enough money to fill the car back up to drive home. As I got in the car, Mom assured me the vehicle had plenty of fuel and waved as I drove off.

I got down the road about three hours and began noticing the gas tank was creeping lower and lower. Mom had assured me I had plenty of fuel to arrive with gas to spare, but the fuel gauge in her car did not seem to affirm her declaration. I became more and more nervous. I did not have a single penny in my pocket; not even a dime to make a telephone call. What was I going to do?

After 20 minutes of driving slower, coasting down hills, and praying for divine intervention, the car’s engine sputtered and coughed and let me know it was starving for fuel. I pulled off to the side of the highway and immediately began to ponder how I was going to get out of the pickle I was in. I had stopped smack dab in the middle of rural America. There was not a town for 12 miles, and I was 40 miles from my grandparents’ house. The only thing I could think to do was to walk to the farmhouse I had passed about half a mile back and see if they would let me use their phone to make a collect call to my grandfather.  Once I communicated my situation, I knew he would come and bring gas.

I made the stroll to the farmhouse, where an elderly gentleman slowly opened the door and asked what I needed. I explained my situation, how I had a check but no cash, and if I could use his phone to call for help I knew my grandfather would come and rescue me. The old man wore overalls like the other farmers of the area. He looked at me, nodded his head and said, “I don’t ’spect we need to bother your grandfather. I bet we can get you fixed up.”

I had no idea what the old man had in mind, but he motioned me to follow him as we walked to his barn. He retrieved a five-gallon fuel can, filled it with gasoline from the tank he used to fill his farm equipment, and then told me to get in his pickup. We drove back to my mom’s car where he proceeded to pour the gasoline into the fuel tank. I cranked up the motor, and with the fresh fuel, it fired right up. I looked at the man, thanked him profusely, and told him I would be back on this same road the next day and I would be happy to stop and pay him for the 5 gallons of fuel and his trouble. I showed him the check I had in my billfold and told him I would have it cashed and would be able to reimburse him.

The old man smiled and then looked at me and said, “Son, it is just a little gas, and everybody needs help sometimes. I bet you would do the same for me if I was in a jam. Just remember the next time you see someone who needs some help.”

I went on my way that day, but here I am nearly 50 years later, and I have never forgotten what the old man told me. I am sure he passed on many years ago, but he is still a bright shining light. The whole world needs to know about my old acquaintance and the lesson he taught me. It is a good lesson to learn. I have tried to practice the lesson as often as I can.

Oh, and by the way, never trust your mother on how long your fuel will last!

Thought for the day: Helping others is the secret sauce to a happy life!

Until next time.

sam@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066, ext. 260