Wednesday, September 22, 2010

rain, rain everywhere, and not a cab in sight

hans was desperate to catch a cab out of new york last week.  it was
raining cats and dogs with an added tornado or two but no cabs in which
to take refuge.

google image of times square


the streets were lined with drenched people, hands raised in futility for
a dry ride.  a few others were pushing their 'cart' homes, apparently
indifferent to the downpour.

a lone cabbie inched by carefully ignoring the hoards, so hans took a
chance.  "excuse me, sir, could you take me uptown?"

google image of new york cab


"well, i'll tell you.  i'm in a mood as foul as this weather, but because
you were so polite, yes sir, hop in." he reminded me of the aesop quote,
"no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."

what the cabbie didn't know is that hans had spent two intensive days
in denver meetings, hopped a plane to return me home, then caught
another plane to take him on to new york, arriving at one in the morning.
at seven the next morning he presented at a conference for eight hours.

exhausted and soaked to the bone, he was trying to meet his brother
who was recovering from surgery and then to catch his third plane  in
two days to bring him home to me on yet another red eye.

i could just kiss that cabbie. . . but don't tell hans.

love,
lea

"with good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men."
ephesians 6:7

31 comments:

Stella said...

I think this is another example of what goes around comes around. It is amazing what a kind work and a smile can do.

Farm Girl said...

Wow Lea, What a story. I just got on for a minute and wanted to check and see how you were. Well, I am glad you are home and poor Hans. I am so thankful for the cabbie that took you in out of the rain.
That is quite a story. Were you in New York during that terrible storm?
I have been praying for you.
Love,
Kim

highheeledlife said...

It is so trur my dear friend .. if we could all remember to smile not only at those whom are familiar to us but at those who we know not... for we also know not what mountains they have had to climb nor what day they are having.

I'm sure that cabbie was not enjoying driving in the rain either. So, happy that Hans was not out in that horrble weather long.

Wishing him a safe journey home!!! XO HHL

Anonymous said...

What a great story. Blessings to you both.

Southern Lady said...

It pays to be polite. Carla

Single and Sane said...

I can't believe Hans was there during that storm. So glad the cab driver responded nicely to his polite request.

Cheri Bunch said...

Precious!

My son and daughter and their spouses live in NYC ... I know the very storm you are talking about.

A gentle answer ... is powerful!

Jenny said...

A really nice story. However, I'm flying to NY Sunday and realize I haven't packed a raincoat, thanks! I've repacked my suitcase three times.
x Jenny

Liane said...

See, it's those little ways in which the Lord cares for us. Glad to hear that Hans was kept safe during that awful storm.
Thanks for sharing!

Dawn said...

What a beautiful snapshopt of a day in the life...of devotion. Hope Hans is dry and home to you by now.

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

How precious....now I wish I was in New York...been dying to go lately...I would have probably been dancing in that rain!!!
So glad he is coming back to you!!!

The cab driver reminds me of those simple things that make our day!!!

Sandy said...

The Bible says that a soft
answer turns away wrath.
Your Hans sounds like a
wonderful guy.Trust you're
home together now. My Kim
is from New York and I've
only been there one time
but I do hope to visit
again. Always wanted to
attend David Wilkerson's
Times Square Church.
Love,
Sandy

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

enjoyed reading this and my visit with you here today....

happy to see you at farmhouse

kary
xxx

Gloria said...

Loved these images with your story. I am glad to hear that Hans was treated with some respect while in New York. Sounds like the good Lord was watching out for him...:)

p.s. thank you for your sweet comments on my blog, I sure appreciate them!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

well I could just give Hans a big hug, for being a real hero, in New York and in Oklahoma... but don't tell Lea! :)

Jodie | Velour said...

Awwwww, sweet story. I just love the way you write Lea.

Deborah Ann said...

I like those rainy day New York pictures - it's all so romantic! Looks like God was sure looking out for your man...

Susan B said...

Hi Lea,
Oh, what a sweet story! Thank you so much for sharing it.

Have a lovely evening! :)

Vee said...

I always love the little twists you include. Hope that Hans has had time to rest and regroup. And I trust that your brother-in-law is recuperating very well, too.

Liz Sarno said...

Once again my day was made a little brighter by a visit to your blog! I love all the posts (as I always do) I laughed especially hard at the family photos post at the picture of the girls wearing draperies! You are wonderful! Thanks for always writing just the right thing!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

You do make me laugh! Not to worry... but I am proud of such a thoughtful hubby! :)

koralee said...

Hi sweet friend...just got back from MN....and popped into Rosies shop...had the most amazing surprise waiting for me all pretty in pink. Thank you so much for this lovely little cd!! I love it! My daughter just downloaded it all to take with her to school in England...happy dance because I got it just in time.

Your kindness was soooo appreciated. Hugs to you my sweet friend. xoxoxo

Joan Elizabeth said...

Your story reminded me of the days when I shunted here and there on planes getting more and more exhausted each day ... my 5.5 hour daily commute is a doddle in comparison.

Tina L. Hook said...

A good reminder. It is the small things...

Farm Girl said...

Thanks you for your sweet little comment it always makes my day. :)
I am so glad you talked to your little friend via skype. Aren't you glad we live now and not when we were kids. My brother when to Europe for six weeks and my parents never heard a word until he got back.
I always tell my kids I don't know how my parents raised me without a cell phone.

I am so glad you are doing better. I have continued to pray for you.
I hope you won't take this as strange but when I sit outside in the late afternoon and me and my hens are visiting, I sit and pray for you. They like to stand real close when I am just being quiet.

I hope you have a lovely weekend.
My husband was reading your post about being in the rain in New York, with Hans, and he said,
"I wish is was us, I would love to be in the rain in New York with just you." I thought it was sweet.
Love,
Kim
p.s. thanks for liking my picture, that was huge for me to do. I was afraid no one would like me after they saw what I looked like.

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

A sweet story, Lea. Have a wonderful weekend, hope there will be lots of sunshine in your part of the world! xxx

Together We Save said...

Yes being kind and polite is rarely wasted.

Just wanted to say thanks for the sweet words over at my site. Cheyene really is the queen to those kids, if she knows anger, sadness, or pain she has never shown it. She is truely and inspiration.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Cast your bread upon the waters... God rewards the righteous and a polite NYC cabbie stopping in a downpour and giving a ride is a Reward of great magnitude! Glad Hans got home safely to you.
I used to live in NYC and have, recently, begun missing it. Perhaps it's time for a long overdue visit.

Debbiedoos said...

Good Karma, nice story. I just read your review on that movie...not sure I want to see it. I hate movies that keep you up for days....I am not one for those twisted ones, Like Hannibal, and those types either.

A Tale of Two Cities said...

Kindness when you least expect it--what a serendipity!
Guess there are some great cabbies in NY just waiting on someone to treat them kindly too.

Debi

Rachel said...

Thank the Lord for "small miracles", right? :)