Ending the summer with a very special field trip at “Grandma Camp” was very important to me.  I had planned, budgeted what we could do, and we were packed and ready to go!  After “take off” my grandson read out loud in the car and my granddaughter worked on the balloon flip-flops she was making for her mother and aunt’s upcoming twin birthday.  I had received some calls that distracted my thoughts in and out but was overall focused on the kids.  At the Exit for our destination I stopped to put in the ten dollars budgeted for gas.  My grandson continued reading out loud and a flip flop was passed out the window for me to make an adjustment. My thoughts were distracting me as well.  After several minutes the reading stopped and I heard, “Grandma, did you mean to spend that much money on gas?” Then the gas hose clicked and stopped pumping.  I was paralyzed momentarily by the reality of what just happened.  I filled the tank.  I couldn’t put it back on the shelf- I couldn’t hit delete and start over!  Hiding my worry I just placed the hose on the rack and screwed the gas cap on but continued to stand there.  The money for our day trip plus a few groceries and plans for the weekend were now in my gas tank!  I called a friend for encouragement who expressed how terrible it was, but at the same time couldn’t stop laughing.

Gas prices are not a laughing matter for any of us right now.  I have no friends who are not impacted by the reality of our economy and now another disaster Irene causes mayhem for millions on our East Coast.  Nevertheless we remain human in the midst of the circumstances that surround us- prone to making errors that have a greater impact on our lives than they used to.  No emotion is helpful when the error happens.  Anger- beating yourself up for being so stupid- fear of the consequences- remorse for messing up something special- so I decided the friend was right- laughing was the best remedy to save this day.  Forward motion is all I know- grandmas don’t retreat!  The budget went to survival only spending, but in the end they never knew and we had a great time anyway.  We grilled hot dogs over the weekend and needed no gas.  There will no doubt be more than one opportunity every day of our lives that will stare us in the face as the total at the gas pump did me.  In that moment I pray you will call the friend who will help you laugh and remind you that no matter what happens we can choose joy and have faith that the God who has always seen us through is still here!