When All Seemed Bleak

Hard times. You’ve had them, we’ve had them, the entire world is going through them. Things just seem bleak. Sometimes it feels as though everything is hitting you all at once and you can’t seem to catch a break, just a moment to catch your breath, or at the very least, assess what’s going on and develop a game plan, however futile it may feel. This just happened to us. One thing after another and it felt nonstop. Big things too, not just the trivial annoyances. One vehicle was sold to us with a missing component and would need to be in the shop for quite some time. The other vehicle, despite all the money we have been throwing at it, finally gave out completely while on the road with my children, about an hour away from home. It was terrifying.

But the tipping point was the night my eldest daughter came to me and said, “Noah’s been in an accident.”

I will spare you from the emotions and drama that immediately ensued, but share with you that my son is okay. We are so grateful that he is okay.

It is only after the dust settles and we regroup that we are forced to deal with the inevitable and unavoidable aftermath.

The car was deemed a total loss by our insurance company, but that was just the beginning.

To make matters even more challenging, all of this was happening while my husband was out of state for training. I attempted to do all I could with my General Power of Attorney and he tried to do all he could during the brief moments where he found reception. It was frustrating for both of us to feel utterly powerless.

The day my husband returned, his Lt. noticed him off on the side alone, lost in a moment of stress, worry, and frustration. After a brief conversation his Lt. offered my husband a ride home, but first he had to make a quick stop. My husband and I spoke on the phone while he waited and then it happened.

“You’ll never guess what just happened. My LT just gave us a car.”

Now, I have heard of these insane acts of incredible kindness through stories on the radio, viral Facebook videos, and the like, but never in a million years would I have guessed that something that incredible would happen to us. And then it did.

We had so many questions, racing thoughts and feelings, but ultimately it came down to a heartfelt, Thank You and the promise to pay it forward.

And we did.

Once our vehicle was repaired, paid off, and out of the shop, we had the opportunity to pass this same vehicle on to another soldier in his moment of need and it felt So Good. It was quite the experience to now be on the giving end of things and to bless another family when all seemed bleak.