Tune-up!

Waiting...it's not my favorite thing to do in this world...I need more patience perhaps. You'd think after living most of my life in California I'd learn to wait well. Not a chance! I'm here getting my car tuned up with no place to go, so I'm waiting...in the "waiting room!" My wait is estimated to be 2 1/2 to 3 hours! It's been no more than 10 minutes and I'm already dreading...the wait!

Wait...wait...Oh...What a lovely older woman, Helen! God brought her to me just in time! She sat down and we introduced ourselves and it wasn't long before we felt like friends from long ago, and she asked, "Do you want to go have breakfast down the street?" I said, "absolutely!" And, so we went...


The Cinema Cafe has been at this location for years...50 or more at least...right next to the Mainzer Theater once a popular movie house down town Merced. Today it's empty and unused.


Don't you just love seeing a young man at work?! I'm sure he is feeling pretty fortunate to have a job! If not, he should, even if he is picking up after those two ol' geezers walking down the sidewalk!


Here is what the inside of the Cinema Cafe looks like...very small...very quaint...very inviting! And, this is where I learned so much about my new friend, Helen. I learned she came from a family of tomato farmers and it continues today, 3rd generation. I learned that her husband past away 11 years ago; she is 86 years young; she has one son; she's catholic; belongs to a lodge organization; enjoys talking about her family, and very much like me, loathes "waiting!" Okay, so "loathe" is a strong word...we dislike waiting very, very much!


I will cherish my meeting of Helen...when I asked if I could take her photo, she said, "Oh, but my hair isn't done." When I showed her the photo she said, "Oh, I'm not dressed up! Oh well, it's not Sunday. I only dress up on Sundays." I told her, "I love your attitude, Helen!"

Back to the waiting room we went. It's part of the show room of the car dealership. Helen (sitting in the waiting room) looked back at this car and said, "Wouldn't it be fun to own one of those? I've always loved Thunderbirds!" Why Helen, you are a gal after my own heart!


Oh, my visit was way too short with my new friend. Helen's vehicle was finished and it was time for her to leave. We hugged and wished each other good travels (she was going south and I north)...just as if we were friends from long ago...family even! I can honestly say, that God knows my heart and He sent Helen to enrich my time in the loathed "Waiting Room." And, so once again I sit...waiting and recounting my amazing encounter with a lovely older woman, Helen! It didn't appear that I would be so fortunate to have another, and I became antsy and out the door I went for a short walk down the street...








And...back to the "Waiting Room" to wait some more...looking outside, checking my watch and looking outside some more...and then God reminded me to be still. It was a blessing to just sit, relax and be still...wait...yes, wait...the tune up? It wasn't so much for our vehicle, as it was for me!