 |
| Advantage Cyclery, October 1996 |
I had been divorced the year before, and I was alone, I had no good leads on a new job, and it wasn't like I could move and get a new bike shop gig, because I was in the midst of buying a house.
On top of it all, my truck was out of commission with a broken transfer case and my old station wagon wasn't running either. I was borrowing the shop's van to get to work and back at the time, or riding my bike on nicer days.
The shop's owner was MIA. He felt so bad about things he couldn't face me anymore. I literally spent the last three plus months working there six days a week with no one else to tell me what to do. It was a very dark time in my life and I am thankful I was pulled through it all.
God is good, and I was leaning on Him hard. I sure do not ever want to experience those kinds of days again. I never felt so badly as I did that Winter.
Anyway, no apologies for the dark tone of today's post. Just was reminded of this as it has been 30 years now since those times. Things got a lot better after this, but it wasn't easy. Don't forget that there are folks all around us struggling. A smile, a kind word, anything positive could be all it takes to keep someone rolling through the valleys.
Negativity abounds these days. Be different. Be a human being that cares.
My fate turned when a former bike shop mechanic came in Advantage Cyclery late in January of 1997 and told me about a job opening at a car repair shop. He didn't have to do that. He barely knew me. But he did it, and that is what mattered.
I got the job. I then worked there for five and half years, was able to pay off the house, and I got a good, reliable car within months of working there that was such a screaming deal I couldn't believe it.
All it takes is one person sometimes to turn a life around.
Thanks Vance! I'll never forget what you did for me.
5 comments:
That’s a great story… Persistence pays and I’m glad you persisted through all that to get to where you are today.
"Don't forget that there are folks all around us struggling"
Amen Mark. It has gotten so challenging for people to understand this. With folks mostly only showing the super positive or successful parts of their lives on Social media, it can be easy to assume that "I am the only one without a perfect life".
Amen Mark and Tyler. Hard times don’t last, though it’s hard to remember that in the moment.
Excellent post Mark. Written from the heart. We have all had tough times that only make us stronger. God is good!
Another AMEN from here on the left coast of Ioway !!....
Post a Comment