Finish the sentence: "I love it when...."

[InLove]

Hi, Peace All--

I love it when my dad calls me up on the telephone when I have a million things to do. He claims it is a quick "hello" just to see how I am doing. Of course, we both know that the "quick" part never happens, because we enjoy our conversations too much.

This happened today. I love his stories, in part because many of them are true. Want to hear what he told me today? Huh, do ya???

I'll take that as a "yes", mostly because y'all aren't really in a position to defend yourselves, now are you?

Before I begin, let me first submit the following disclaimer: There may be some politically incorrect language. However, keep in mind, please, that my dad is of Cherokee heritage, and I am almost old enough to have been a real hippie, but my plans to do so never evolved. And I am a Christian. I love my country, too. Okay-- I think I have covered all parties who might be offended, with the possible exception of the Greyhound bus company. That said, here is the true story my dad related to me today, as we were discussing the pros and cons of traveling on trains and buses during our “quick hello”.

One day, back in the sixties, my dad was on a Greyhound bus. He didn't tell me why he was the bus, just that he was. While on this bus, he observed a situation taking place between what he describes as, "A drunk Indian, a hippie, and a Greyhound bus driver."

Apparently, the "Indian" was not only extremely drunk, but quite patriotic. It seems that the hippie had just been drafted, and might, for all dad knew, have been on his way "out-of-town" in accord with his political convictions.

In any case, the hippie was doing his best to go unnoticed, possibly for more than one reason, since, as dad and everyone else on the bus would soon learn, the young man had not purchased a ticket. The drunk Indian was actually the one causing all the noise, but the bus driver could not do anything about him because he was on the outside of the bus, jumping up in the window, singing at the top of his lungs: "You're in the Army, now, you S.O.B.!"

Well, as you might imagine, the hippie kept sinking lower and lower in his seat, but because of the ruckus being staged by the patriotic drunk, invisibility was becoming less and less of a possibility. It did not take long before the bus driver, who had a job to get on with, marched down the aisle and grabbed the hippie by the ear and threw him off the bus, all the while glaring threateningly at the inebriated soloist, who wasted no time leaving on his own, his probable objective having been accomplished.

After the bus had left the depot, an elderly lady in the front seat commented to the bus driver: "My, that took some courage!" (My dad was observing the fearlessness of the driver as well, but not for the same reason. Dad was simply amazed at the speeds at which the driver seemed comfortable.) Apparently, the bus driver was also an armchair (or steering wheel, as the case may be) comedian and philosopher, because he answered with the following "parable":

"There was a priest, an evangelist, and a bus driver who all died in an accident one day." (This statement did not ease my dad’s apprehension, by the way.) “While in line at the pearly gates” the driver continued, “a staff member of St. Peter’s office prompted, ‘Occupation and good deeds, please?


The priest answered, ‘I have personally counseled thousands of parishioners in my lifetime’. ‘Wait here,’ said the angel, and he proceeded to ask the same question of the evangelist.


‘Praise the Lord!’ the evangelist replied. ‘Why, I have spread the Gospel to millions of people around the world and collected the same in dollars for Jesus!’


‘Okay, umm, sir,’ the angel fumbled, ‘could you take a seat right over there for a minute?’

When the bus driver’s turn came, he was immediately allowed to pass through the gates. (Y’all saw that one coming, didn’t ya?)

‘Hey, wait a minute!’ exclaimed the men of the cloth. ‘We don’t understand! How come you let him in, and we have to wait for St. Peter’s personal approval?’

‘Oh, well,’ replied the angel. ‘When he said he was a Greyhound bus driver, we figured he had scared the hell out of enough people that it safe to let him go on in.’”

I love it when my dad calls for a quick “hello”

InPeace,
InLove

[InLove]

I love it when, on a day when everything seems stagnant and stalled, and the neighbors of the world just seem so uncomfortable with each other, a knock comes at my door. I look out the window, but whoever knocked is gone. Relieved, in a way, that no one wants anything from me, I am still a bit disappointed because, even though the awkward silence was broken, it was only for a moment.

Maybe it is simply hope that compels me to open the door and attempt to solve the mystery. Like so many times before, I find hope really does pay. For there, tucked neatly inside the storm door is a package I've been expecting. Inside is a lovely gift from the heart of a lovely person.

The world just got a little more exciting, and a little less uncomfortable.

InPeace,
InLove

[YO-ELEVEN-11]

I love it when things are quiet and peaceful.

[elme]

i love it when a stranger smiles and greets!

[InLove]

I love it when opportunity presents itself...

Hi elme--nice to meet you!

InPeace,
InLove

[wil]

I love it when two friends from different forums meet...

[elme]

Originally Posted by wil

I love it when two friends from different forums meet...

i love it when wil is around!!!!!!

HI InLove

[YO-ELEVEN-11]

"I love it when" a beautiful woman smiles at me

[InLove]

You know me way too well, don't you?

[InLove]

(I love it when opportunity presents itself)

[Quahom1]

"Carpe diem" means just that...

[Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine]

I can be of legitimate help (I can "give a hand instead of a foot") and the recipient truly appreciates the aid (however slight it is/was.)

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine

[InLove]

I love it when I wake up in the morning knowing that today, if all goes as planned, I will welcome a baby into this world. Maybe I will cut the umbilical cord, which always brings a tear or two. Or maybe I will hold the mother's hand until mine is aching. Or maybe I will wrap my arms around the father who usually doesn't like that sort of thing. One thing I know for certain--if all goes well, I will smile, laugh, and cry for one and many reasons, and my heart will leap at the sight of this amazing event.

Looking forward to seeing you, little Casey.

InPeace,
InAwe,
InLove

[InLove]

I love it when all goes well. (See above.)

I also love it when what happens surpasses what I had planned. I didn't get to be in the room this time (hospital rules have changed--only two people besides the mother and medical personnel). But my oldest daughter, the mother's sister, has never had the opportunity to see the other side of childbirth. She has always been the one delivering the baby. I thought it time she witnessed this beauty from a new perspective. I could see how much she wanted to do this in her eyes. I will never regret my decision!

By the way--Casey is 8 lbs., 2 oz. And he is 19 1/2 inches "tall" (at least he was a few hours ago ) And he is beautiful.

InPeace,
InLove

[wil]

Originally Posted by InLove

I love it when all goes well. (See above.)

I also love it when what happens surpasses what I had planned. I didn't get to be in the room this time (hospital rules have changed--only two people besides the mother and medical personnel). But my oldest daughter, the mother's sister, has never had the opportunity to see the other side of childbirth. She has always been the one delivering the baby. I thought it time she witnessed this beauty from a new perspective. I could see how much she wanted to do this in her eyes. I will never regret my decision!

By the way--Casey is 8 lbs., 2 oz. And he is 19 1/2 inches "tall" (at least he was a few hours ago ) And he is beautiful.

InPeace,
InLove

I love virtual hugs and happiness, and hope you do too!