Craigslist feel good stories

[cpconst]

I advertised a set of new wheels and tires from my Toyota Tundra on Craigslist about three weeks ago for $750. They had been sitting in my shop since purchasing aftermarket replacements and I knew I was never going to put them back on. So two days ago I got a call from Wayne who lives in Cleveland. He has one of those voices on the phone that you could tell he was a genuine guy and may mistake for a long lost friend. He said he just bought a Tundra with the base steel wheels and wanted to upgrade but stay oem. He was on the fence so to speak about driving three hours to Dayton, Ohio to get them so I told him my son was doing a college visit at Otterbein, North of Columbus and I was happy to meet him there to do the deal.
So yesterday evening, after pulling into Quaker Steak and Lube in Polaris, just off of I-71 I called Wayne. He was just one exit away and said he'd meet me in the parking lot. I sent him the address via text so he could find me easier. 20 mins later he called and said he couldn't seem to find QS&L. Did u get my text?, was my reply. He said he didn't have a smart phone or text because that was his wife's job. I told him to stay where he was and I would come to him in the parking lot at Caballes where he was calling from.
Two minutes away I see this older man walking a little collie looking pooch in the grass at the edge of Cabellas' parking lot. I pulled up and he had this warmest looking smile on his face and called me by name. I got out out of my truck, shook hands and he started telling me about his dog. He said he couldn't go anywhere without his furry friend because they had both recently lost a loved one. You see, Wayne's wife of 40 years succumbed to ALS just last month. My heart sank for him. It's like what do you say besides your sorry for their loss? He talked openly about it and how he thought they had more time but just 1 1/2 years after diagnosis she died. I tried to give him a little comfort by saying I knew it was hard but maybe it was better she didn't suffer for years and years and have to go through loosing all controll of her body to the point of being trapped within herself. He understood my intensions but told me it was really hard to deal with.
He was grateful he was able to get out of the house and take a little drive to meet me and buy some wheels for his new truck. He then counted out his cash and handed it over to me. I took out a 50 and handed it back it him. He asked if he had the price wrong and I told him no. Please use the money to get yourself back to Cleveland I sais. He gave me a warm smile and said if I was ever his way to stop over at his auto repair shop and say hi. Well actually I said, I just bought my daughter, who is in college, a car at a dealer in Cleveland and was going up on Tuesday to trailer it back. He asked the name of the dealership, which I told him and said he was 5 mins from there. Would you mind taking a quick look at the car to give me some piece of mind that it's a solid car I asked him. I'd love to was his reply.
So I just thought I'd share this feel good story with you guys (and girls) because it's not everyday you run into a person like Wayne and hope that you're as good and true as a person as he is.

[Bugsinrugs]

There are more good people in this world than bad. Meeting new people and sharing stories is a part of enjoying life. Maybe you can remain friends with Wayne.

[Laneco]

Perhaps I'm perpetually optimistic, but I've always believed that a stranger is a friend I haven't met yet.

I struck up a conversation with a gal in the Bangkok airport. She is from Manila, but lives outside Bangkok. She teaches English at a school (8 to 10 year olds or so). Terrific lady. We've stayed friends and I will visit her if I'm ever back in Thailand.

As mentioned above, there are far more good people in this world than bad. When in doubt, read Pelican threads about dogs, children, friendships, aging parents and random acts of kindness.

angela