Inspiring Relationship Stories

[Mebert]

As many of you may know, New York City recently had a minor icy rain storm that coated the streets and sidewalks with an annoying icy coat of about 4 inches, Just enough to be inconvenient. The dependable snow ploughs of the Department of Sanitation were out in force which was not the problem. The problem was the ploughs piled up the icy mess against the parked cars. My car had a massive solid piece of ice against the drivers side from front to tail that was approximately two feet high and two feet deep. Wind drifts from the night before had assured that some snow also went under the car. My snow shovel was worthless against ice and seemed as if it were going to fall apart if I pursued trying to break the ice so I left the car in its parked space for another day and took the inconvenient public transportation home.

The next day I toolk the public transportation back to the city and got to the car and noticed that the solid mass of ice seemed like a major barrier that's set up to prevent cars from going into certain areas. It was even harder and I thought I would have to leave the car another few days until we had a thaw.

I spotted another driver who had a very sturdy shovel that was really breaking the ice even though he had to use some extreme effort. I whispered a little prayer and said that I hoped to be able to buy one of those shovels from the hardware store the next day since I was wedged into the parking space on a Sunday. I approached the man who was trying to chiesel his way out of the ice that he was in and said "They really did a job on us with those ploughs didn't they?"

He said, "They sure did. I've been out here for a long time trying to get my car out of here."

I said, "You're lucky to have such a sturdy shovel. At least you can break up that ice. I'll have to wait and buy one of those tomorrow."

He replied, "You can use this shovel when I'm finished digging my car out."

I said, "I'll help you to shovel the snow from your car to the middle of the street so the cars and buses can smash it down."

It took us about a half an hour to dig his car out of the ice. He was able to manuveur his car out after a shifting forward and back.

Then it was my turn. When he saw how deep the ice was and how high it was I thought he would change his mind but he said, "Come on let's do yours now."

It took us about an hour to chop through the ice and get the ice from under the car to free it so that I could drive but we finally did it.

I thanked him profusely and he thanked me.

I told him that I had said a prayer and prayed that I would be able to get my car out so that I could drive it back home. I said, "Sometimes for no reason at all God sends angels our way to help us out."

He said, "It was the Lord that made that moment happen."

Here were were, two strangers who had some hard work to do to get our cars out of a solid block of ice. One had a sturdy shovel and the other a flimsy snow shovel. Between the two of us we were able to accomplish much in a shorter amout of time than if we were doing it alone.

I know that I would not have gotten my car out of the ice that day without his time and help.

[hazelson]

Great stories - very uplifting.

My favourite is about my step-son. I have been his Mom since he was 13 years old - a daunting prospect at best. He had lost his Mother to brain cancer, and, shortly afterwards his Grandmother to lung cancer. His little sister had muscular dystrophy and needed a lot of extra attention. She also needed to be lifted and carried a lot - which he did without complaint. We had our ups and downs but treated each other with mutual respect that grew to a great love for one another. Today he is 26 years old and quite a success.

He came home from school one day, about a year after I had moved in, and said they had had an interesting discussion in class earlier in the day. The class was asked how many had step-parents. Well over half of the class raised their hands.

His teacher then asked "Those of you who have your hands raised - keep them up if you like or even love your step-parent."

One hand stayed up.......

Makes me tear up just thinking about it.

[Spikesgirl]

Jenn, what a great story. How lucky your step son is to have such a loving mom. someone was remarking about how much his mom and dad had sacrificed for him and I think we can all appreciate that, from both sides of the coin. I know there's nothing I wouldn't do for mine.

Thanks for sharing.

Charlie

[Mebert]

hazelson,

That was a great story. By that mini survey in your step-son's class it looks like you two share a very special relationship. It's great that you can be there for him since he's had so much adversity in his life. It seems that you are both fortunate to have each other.

He seems like a very caring young person to take care of his sister the way he does and I know that he's lucky to have you based on the posts I've read from you over the years.

[Suzila]

These stories are wonderful. I have one I'd like to share too.

We have two sons. We also have a person we call our 'third son'. He's my youngest son's best friend, and they met when they were in 7th grade. At that time, he and his Dad moved to our area because the Mom and Dad divorced and his Mom decided to leave and move away to Montana. My son and he became very good friends and spent every moment together, so we knew him pretty well by the time the last year of high school rolled around.

At that time, his Dad decided he was going to retire and wanted to move to Tennessee. But his son wanted to finish high school here in California, with his friends. It was obvious to everyone that his Dad could care less, and was just interested in what he was going to do with the rest of his life. So, we offered to have my son's friend move in with us. We were crowded, since we only have a 3 bedroom house and both our sons were still living at home, but we made it work for a full year. The dad made no effort to help us out with finances, but his son did what he could (he was still in high school). We didn't ask for anything from him, but he made every effort to pay us back for anything. Of course, we wouldn't let him. When graduation came around we took both the boys on a Baja cruise. (we called the Dad and asked permission to take his son on a cruise as a gift for graduation...which he missed altogether, and he flat out said he didn't care what we did and he wanted to know why we bothered with him) (we actually wanted to send them alone, but the rules had changed and they were too young to go by themselves...we took them, and they had a great time).

When the kids graduated, our son went to a 4 year college, but again, his friend's Dad refused to help out, so we paid for his son to go to community college...wasn't expensive, but with two of our own kids in college, it was more of a strain on finances. Finally, he said he wanted to go into the Air Force (following in my hubby's footsteps) and make enough money to get a college education. He signed up for 6 years.

Each and every time he had a leave he would call here and ask if he could come 'home' for his leave. This is what he considered home. He calls me Mom, and he calls Ray, Dad. Yes, he keeps in touch with his real Mom and Dad...once in awhile, and usually because I push him into it, but he considers us his Mom and Dad.

He is now a married man with their first baby on the way (btw, when he brought his future wife to meet us, he introduced us as Mom and Dad...made me feel really great). He got his education, and he's now a 4th grade science teacher. (I told him just because he knows all the words to Star Wars doesn't mean he could be a science teacher...LOL!)

Anyway...we are expecting a new baby in our extended family in May. Pretty neat, huh?

[Gregswife]

Sue, what a loving and kind couple you and Ray are, to open your home and your hearts to this young man. As you well know, biology does not a parent make - it's the day to day things that usually go unnoticed. Congrats on the comng grandbaby.

[Mebert]

Suzila,

That is such a warm story.

What a lifesaver you are. Who knows where or what that young man would be without your families kind intervention. That was a major decision for the family and you all had to participate to make it work.

A natural family that's happy is a wonderful gift, but a family that's mutually chosen is an extraordinary gift.

[SMB]

I'd like to officially dub this the BLUBBER thread... that is all I've been doing reading this stories. Come on, admit it. You guys all use to work for the ad agency that came up with the Hallmark commercials.

Great stories, guys

[cruisetarp]

Mebert - who said New Yorkers are cold and uncaring. I used to get so tired of hearing that when I lived in NY. Your story is a perfect example of kind caring people existing everywhere.

Jenn - what a treasure your step-son is. Wonderful story.

Shari - Who knows what would have happened to that young man if you hadn't stepped in. You will be a wonderful grandma to his child and he will always remember what you did for him.

[mercedes]

Thank you all for the wonderful and inspiring stories.