mom

Ya Gotta Have Faith
It was a sad trip to Rockford for Vince. His nephew, only 52 years old, had died unexpectedly.
On his way home after the wake, his car began acting up. The power steering went out and the warning lights went on.
He drove into a gas station to see what was wrong. Being a mechanic in his own right, he found the problem, but did not have the tools to fix it.
He was at a gas station, but, nowadays, a gas station is just that. You can buy gas, a pizza and a lottery ticket, but no repair service and not a tool in sight.
He asked the clerk if there was a service station around that was still open. It was seven o’clock. "No," said the clerk. It was too late.
A young man standing near-by heard the conversation. He asked Vince what the problem was with his car. In friendly conversation he asked where Vince lived and why he had come to Rockford.
Vince told him, and the man said, "I was the ambulance driver that took your nephew to the hospital. Small world. Coincidence? Maybe.
He proceeded to tell Vince that there was a NAPA Auto Care Center across from the gas station.. He knew they were open on Monday nights.
He drove Vince over there, and one of the guys went and got Vince’s car. In the meantime, Joe Vettore, the owner, and Vince struck up a conversation. They found out that Joe’s uncle and Vince’s brother were friends and "chummed" together as teenagers. Small world. Coincidence? Maybe.
Vince also learned why they were open. Monday is the night that Joe and his crew give their services to people recommended by their churches. People who otherwise might not be able to get their cars repaired.. There were no bills written on Monday nights.
That included Vince’s car when it was ready to go. He asked for a bill and tried to pay several times, but Joe said there was no bill.
"You look like the kind of guy that would help my dad if he had a problem–so call it even. Just stop in and say hello the next time you’re in town."
There were no sermons, no holier than thou attitudes. Their agenda was just some guys doing what they do best–using their talents to help their fellow man.
When you hear a feel good story like this, you have to have faith in your fellow man. Way to go, Joe and all at NAPA Auto Center.
(P.S. Our guys, Lane and BJ at Cambridge NAPA are no slouches, either. They have come to the rescue many a time.)
The next time Vince goes to Rockford, he will stop and say hi. This time he will be the one with the cookies.
Good and Easy Applesauce Cookies
from the Harmony Ladies Auxiliary, Rockford
you will need:
½ cup margarine
1 cup sugar
1 well-beaten egg
1 cup applesauce
1 t each of baking soda and cinnamon
½ t each of salt, cloves, nutmeg
2 cups flour
nuts and raisins, optional
cream margarine, sugar, and egg
Add remaining ingredients and mix well
drop by spoonful on cookie sheet
bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until lightly browned.
Eat warm or cooled. Enjoy