I'm totally embarrassed to even write this, but I thought it was above all, a great lesson learned...at least by me, so I wanted to record it.
So my day didn't start out too great.
I got to the gym (made myself go) and while trying to get out of my car, scraped the vehicle next to me with my door. The wind was super strong (those of you who know Texas wind know how crazy it can be) and blew so fast that the door FLUNG open, hitting the car next to me.
I immediately pulled the car door back towards me, but it was too late. There it was. Not huge and not too big of a deal, but a visible "blue" (from our Blue neon) scrape/scratch on the NICE white SUV.
OH MY GOSH!
My heart sank and started beating so fast.
I looked around.
Did anyone see that?!
Without even thinking, I hopped back into the car and started it, then pulled into another parking spot a few lots away.
No one will ever know.
Thump, thump thump.
my heart felt like it could explode.
Gotta write a note....gotta write a note and leave it on their car! Hey, legs, stop! Stop walking so fast! come back!
What am I doing?!
But for some reason, I couldn't make myself go and write that stupid note.
I was SCARED.
I don't have any money to pay for it should they want to fix it!!
I thought.
It's just a TINY scratch,
I tried to reason.
I walked fast into the gym, hoping that this AWFUL feeling would somehow go away.
"WHY, even OUR car has a ton of scratches and bangs from other cars hitting us with their door...surely, this was just our turn to bang someone else's car. It'll be okay. How does anyone else live with it? If they're okay banging our car, I'll be just fine too."
But, I couldn't even exercise. I felt sick. I knew what I had done and I knew what I had to go do, but most importantly, I knew what I was doing was wrong. I was being dishonest.
So, I picked up my purse, grabbed a pen and a paper and wrote.
"I'm so very sorry...my door hit your car and made a scratch...here's my number. I'm sorry."
I walked outside. Gray clouds covered the usually sunny sky.
"how convenient."
I nervously walked over to the white SUV and placed the note between the windshield and its wiper.
The story isn't over yet, but in just a few seconds--minutes of this whole thing, I learned so much.
As I've been reflecting on this happening all day, I just kept thinking;
1. You never know who you are or what you truly stand for, unless you are TESTED. It's easy to say "I'm an honest person." It's another to BE an honest person, even when no one is looking.
2. I should not judge. I've watched or heard a few stories on the news where people flee the scene of an accident.We've all heard infamous stories of "hit and runs." I don't think I've had enough compassion for those people in the past.
"How could they do such a thing?! unforgivable!" were my thoughts generally. But as I was shown today, the first human instincts are to FLEE. I'm not excusing the behavior, I simply resolute to not judging. Heck, if I literally FLEW the scene of a tiny scratch on someone's car and almost had a heart attack, I can't imagine the fear and guilt someone could feel having done so much worse.
3. If anything, I should have compassion and sympathy for those who flee the scene when they hit something/someone. Again, NOT excusing their actions, just saying that I FEEL SORRY FOR THEM. That feeling that overcame me from making a NITCH on someone's CAR (even a fixable thing) was AWFUL. AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL. I CANNOT EVEN IMAGINE-NOR DO I WANT TO IMAGINE THE GUILT SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TO LIVE WITH should they have accidentally hit/killed another human being. AWFUL.
Something so simple and seemingly innocent was eating me up inside.
My mistake was "small", and even "fixable." I was even given the chance to GO BACK AND CORRECT the problem (going back and placing the note on their car). Boy, was I lucky on that one. I would have probably felt GUILT for a VERY long time had I not gone back and placed the note on the car.
Anyway, as you can see, I have been pretty shaken up by this "little" incident, but it sure made a lasting impression and I've learned multiple life long lessons from it.
PHEW.
ps. the owner of the SUV DID call me about an hour later... She was so sweet and thanked me for being honest. I'm glad I went back and apologized. It's not worth the guilt that I'd be living with forever...nor being dishonest with the Lord!! YUCK.
When I started, I knew the exact kind of little bag that I had in mind and figured that someone else had probably beaten me to it. So, I decided to search for a tutorial and not only did I find what I was looking for…I found something better! Check outDana’s Hobo Sack Tutorial…complete with lining and even ruffles if you wish! Perfect! I made mine a bit smaller and added a cute little bunting on the front…just couldn’t resist. (I seriously have an obsession with buntings lately!) Afterwards I filled it with 12 little activity cards…something fun to look forward to each week of the summer! 
I gave it to my girlies today and they were completely excited. I read each little card to them and told them kind of what I had in mind. They kept cheering and giving me hugs and talking about how fun it was going to be. My oldest said she wants to do it every summer for the next 10 years! A girl who loves traditions, just like her mama! Finally, we drew out our first card…looks like it all starts this week with a Teddy Bear Picnic!
appetizers
beef
beverages
breads
breakfast and brunch
condiments
desserts
pizza and pasta
pork
poultry
salads and dressings
sandwiches and burgers
seafood
side dishes and vegetables
soups and stews