Faces

[HarleyDog]

As fate would have it, I have found myself behind the wheel of a big-rig again after 20+ yrs. I now haul ethanol to various points in the Buckeye and Hoosier state. I see a lot of new faces during a regular day which is usually about 12hrs long. Faces at different locations I go to and faces from people just passing me on the interstate. Each face I'm sure, has a story. I never really think about it. However, let me tell you what happened to me Friday as I was on I-70 heading west towards home.

Home is on my mind and I'm kind of in a hurry to get there. My Fiancee is there, my cold beverage of choice is there, and, it's Friday. I'm ready for some R&R. Yet, low and behold, something was about to happen which was going to change my outlook on the day, and maybe life in general (I don't know yet because I am still blown away right now). Nothing dramatic, nothing horrific, nothing exciting. Just something so plain and simple that would open my eyes to something I had no clue, and still don't.

I was being passed by a vehicle. It was a husband and wife from Illinois. As they were passing me, there was a small face in the back seat looking out the window at me. Not looking at my truck, not looking at my tires spinning, not doing the "blow your air horn motion" etc. When I looked down, I saw what seemed to be a small black girl of about 5yrs old staring me straight into my eyes. There was no pain there, no smile either. It was a very calming look. I felt like innocence was staring me in the face, deep into my eyes from 10ft apart, with no judgement, ridicule, or even anything for that matter. She was so beautiful, and her gaze at me was as comforting as a feeling I'm not sure I've had experienced before in my life? I felt as if we were communicating. A 45yr old man, a 5yr old girl, just through a look. Believe me when I say I know this sounds ridiculous, because I can't truly put into words what this 3 second pass (the car passing me) did to my heart.

She was in a beautiful car, and didn't look as if she was troubled by anything. There were no brothers and sisters in the back, only her. She was not distracted one bit, but as she passed, it was like her sole purpose at that given time was to look me straight and deep into my eyes and communicate. When the vehicle got to a point where we lost contact, I felt emotions like I had just seen the most beautiful angel. I understand you can't feel what I'm feeling here, but it was so heavenly. As I continued to drive, I could not get this 3 second experience, and the look on that girls face out of my head. It was like GOD did this because it was just too right. My heart was pounding like a exciting moment has just passed.

As I drove on, my heart continued to drag my attention back to what I had experienced. I'm feeling like I have encountered something bigger than me. Then it hit me. Was GOD communicating with me? Was I supposed to pray for this girl? It seemed so strong, but with no solid answer. Yet, then I started thinking, "was this actually an Angel I just encountered (I cant begin to explain the peace in her eyes)?"

Fact is, I don't know what happened yesterday, but I have a feeling I will. I prayed for the young girl, and if she is an angel? Well, I give thanks to GOD for letting me know he's got one letting me know he's there.

I'm not sure why I felt compelled to share this with you guys/gals. Maybe I just saw a cute kid? But, My heart tells me its much more than that. It was more real, than real has ever been. Maybe it's a confirmation on something I've been praying about, with a comfort knowing it will be answered. I know some of you may tear this thread apart, but that's OK. I shared it anyway and planned for it. It was that awesome.

[jmccracky]

Originally Posted by HarleyDog

As fate would have it, I have found myself behind the wheel of a big-rig again after 20+ yrs. I now haul ethanol to various points in the Buckeye and Hoosier state. I see a lot of new faces during a regular day which is usually about 12hrs long. Faces at different locations I go to and faces from people just passing me on the interstate. Each face I'm sure, has a story. I never really think about it. However, let me tell you what happened to me Friday as I was on I-70 heading west towards home.

Home is on my mind and I'm kind of in a hurry to get there. My Fiancee is there, my cold beverage of choice is there, and, it's Friday. I'm ready for some R&R. Yet, low and behold, something was about to happen which was going to change my outlook on the day, and maybe life in general (I don't know yet because I am still blown away right now). Nothing dramatic, nothing horrific, nothing exciting. Just something so plain and simple that would open my eyes to something I had no clue, and still don't.

I was being passed by a vehicle. It was a husband and wife from Illinois. As they were passing me, there was a small face in the back seat looking out the window at me. Not looking at my truck, not looking at my tires spinning, not doing the "blow your air horn motion" etc. When I looked down, I saw what seemed to be a small black girl of about 5yrs old staring me straight into my eyes. There was no pain there, no smile either. It was a very calming look. I felt like innocence was staring me in the face, deep into my eyes from 10ft apart, with no judgement, ridicule, or even anything for that matter. She was so beautiful, and her gaze at me was as comforting as a feeling I'm not sure I've had experienced before in my life? I felt as if we were communicating. A 45yr old man, a 5yr old girl, just through a look. Believe me when I say I know this sounds ridiculous, because I can't truly put into words what this 3 second pass (the car passing me) did to my heart.

She was in a beautiful car, and didn't look as if she was troubled by anything. There were no brothers and sisters in the back, only her. She was not distracted one bit, but as she passed, it was like her sole purpose at that given time was to look me straight and deep into my eyes and communicate. When the vehicle got to a point where we lost contact, I felt emotions like I had just seen the most beautiful angel. I understand you can't feel what I'm feeling here, but it was so heavenly. As I continued to drive, I could not get this 3 second experience, and the look on that girls face out of my head. It was like GOD did this because it was just too right. My heart was pounding like a exciting moment has just passed.

As I drove on, my heart continued to drag my attention back to what I had experienced. I'm feeling like I have encountered something bigger than me. Then it hit me. Was GOD communicating with me? Was I supposed to pray for this girl? It seemed so strong, but with no solid answer. Yet, then I started thinking, "was this actually an Angel I just encountered (I cant begin to explain the peace in her eyes)?"

Fact is, I don't know what happened yesterday, but I have a feeling I will. I prayed for the young girl, and if she is an angel? Well, I give thanks to GOD for letting me know he's got one letting me know he's there.

I'm not sure why I felt compelled to share this with you guys/gals. Maybe I just saw a cute kid? But, My heart tells me its much more than that. It was more real, than real has ever been. Maybe it's a confirmation on something I've been praying about, with a comfort knowing it will be answered. I know some of you may tear this thread apart, but that's OK. I shared it anyway and planned for it. It was that awesome.

I think your story is awesome! I've had moments like that too man. It's a feeling that is hard to explain. Don't know why it happens, but it has happened a few times in my life.

[CINwillWIN]

I would like to experience something like that Harley, I consider you very lucky in the fact you were able to take notice of something 'bigger' as it was happening. Heavy daily doses of reality, and a speck of hope or possibility sometimes is enough to carry you through...maybe enough to keep you searching what the answer is to what question everyone wants to know: "the meaning of life".

[BengalsRocker]

I will dedicate
And sacrifice my everything
for just a second's worth
Of how my story's ending
And I wish I could know
if the directions that I take
And all the choices that I make
won't end up all for nothing

Show me what it's for
Make me understand it
I've been crawling in the dark
looking for the answer
Is there something more
than what i've been handed?
I've been crawling in the dark
looking for the answer

Help me carry on
Assure me it's ok
to use my heart and not my eyes
To navigate the darkness
Will the ending be
ever coming suddenly?
Will I ever get to see
the ending to my story?

Show me what it's for
Make me understand it
I've been crawling in the dark
looking for the answer
Is there something more
than what i've been handed?
I've been crawling in the dark
looking for the answer

So when and how will I know?

How much further do I have to go?
How much longer until I finally know?
Because I'm looking
and I just can't see what's in front of me
In front of me

Show me what it's for
Make me understand it
I've been crawling in the dark
looking for the answer
Is there something more
than what i've been handed?
I've been crawling in the dark
looking for the answer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcCOJuDR5Mo

[fredtoast]

Too many ethanol fumes getting into the cab.

You better have that checked out Dog.

[Sabretooth]

Awesome story man.
In 1982 after my dad died, random emotional jags would hit me. I could only " man up " at work. Every other place tears just appeared out of the blue. My dad was the first person really close to me that passed. Although he was 46 when I was born, he was very active with me as I grew. We went fishing, played baseball, boxed, thru horseshoes,and many other family things. Any way - I'm in line at best products and suddenly a few tears roll down my face, a little girl about 4 ( standing beside her mom in front of me ) turns around, smiles and waves at me. That moment brought me out of intense greiving.

Over the years as other loved ones passed on ,different things have cheered me back up - mostly music. But that kid's gesture calmed and comfort me to this day.

[wolfkaosaun]

Awesome story man, It's little moments like the one you just had that really make an impact. They're simplistic moments that seem to be every day things, but something just seems to catch you. It's a short moment, and is like a speck compared to the rest of our lives. However, the memory of that moment will help us keep moving forward with our lives. We sometimes take those moments for granted because they don't seem huge, but those are the moments that keep us going. I'm glad you got to experience something like that man.

[PApinhead]

That's awesome Mike! Kuddos to you for having the courage to share that on here when you know some will have something negative to say.

Keep your eyes, heart, and mind open and maybe you see what it was all about. Then again, maybe that's one of those things God doesn't want you to fully understand.

[Who2Dey]

Originally Posted by HarleyDog

...deep into my eyes from 10ft apart.

You really should increase your following distance!

I wouldn't worry about that little girl though, if she looked content and happy that is all you can wish for her. A child's brain is so clean and pure God only knows what she was thinking. Being so young she probably has never seen a face like yours and was soaking it all in herself.

[HarleyDog]

Originally Posted by Who2Dey

You really should increase your following distance!

It was 2 lanes going in the same direction and they were beside me. But I know you were kidding.