Tallahassee has been my home for about eleven years now. I came to this town just like any other young, bright eyed, Florida State acceptee. I had dreams and hopes that simply could not be thwarted by endless parties and stifling exams. I was going to be someone special. I flew through four years of college life and was ushered out into the real world faster than I could blink. It was over. I've been preparing for college since I was two years old. Now that it was completed, what was I to do?
Then, I understood, I needed to get a job... and get one quick... as the college loan offices started pitching tents on my lawn (and we all remember tent city on campus, it wasn't a pretty sight). I packed up my life in my Oldsmobile and moved ALL THE WAY to Jacksonville. So... ok... it wasn't California, but I'm drastic like that. The first week I panicked as I filled out the paperwork for my first teaching job. The second week, I realized that Jacksonville had a beach and that I had another week free before I was to teach. Score!
I packed up my beach gear (coke and sunglasses) and got into my clunker and drove to the beach. What no one mentioned to me about Jacksonville is that it is a massive city. I'm not talking population (which is actually pretty staggering), I'm talking sprawl like you wouldn't believe. It took me over and HOUR to get to the beach. And as I puttered along gazing out over every car I passed to see if I might glimpse the glorious ocean, I began to notice a fog around me. This was ok. I was not going to allow a little fog ruin my day. Red light. Stop. Smoke plummage lifting from the hood of my car all around me. Crap. My car was on fire. And what's more, just beyond the red light, I could make out some tiny sand dunes. One block from the beach and my car engine started smoking.
I had no phone. I knew no one that lived in Jacksonville... and I was an hour away from my new apartment complex. I coasted my car into the nearest gas station lot, turned it off, climbed out and stood staring at my luck. Suddenly I noticed that I was not standing alone. To my right stood a man that closely resembled Jesus. He had long flowing hair, the obligatory Birkenstock sandals, the beard of Methuselah and a paper bagged booze bottle. OK... so not Jesus... but he did go to the side of the store and pull around a hose and water my car.... he helped me. I bought him lunch and then when I could drive my car, I high tailed it back home to sit in my apartment and not leave again until school started. The very first person I met on my adventure into true adulthood was a bum. He was a nice bum. A beach bum. And he helped me.
I teach my children never to judge a book by its cover. It's an old, worn out, eye rolled tale... but its a good one. If people judged me by my cover... I might just be friendless...
Tags: Tallahassee Mom Mom Meetup Tallahassee Mom Meet Tallymomfriends
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