Musings from the Ozone

Well, I never mind having lunch with an old friend.  Why do thoughts plague me that are not in keeping with the pleasure I should feel at going out for lunch?  I wish I were more of a social animal--I am married to one.  At the drop of a hat my husband would rush out the door, catch a train to Manhattan and spend the day with some person he barely knows, in that crowded place called Chinatown.  He has a title of Chinatown tour guide (for free) for at least 20 years.  In some ways I envy his spontaneous-type personality, although I know he has those days of tiredness.  Yes, he even gets tired of people sometimes! 

 But, back to my musings......I think they are actually amusing!  Why should I mind driving through heavy traffic for an hour, cross toll bridges with which E-Z Pass has only made it slightly easier; make sure I have enough gas in the car and money in the purse to pay for everything, including the lunch for the friend?  Why should I mind that the weather was 92 degrees today and promises to be only slightly cooler tomorrow?  With heavy thunderstorms tonight, that would be only a possibility.  I thought it stormed last night too and it didn't cool down noticeably.  That ride in bumper-to-bumper summer traffic will be tiring on me.   Why should I think of declining the invitation, just because I feel a little tired from my allergies?  I am racking up aggrating thoughts of traveling to see my friend, aren't I?  My husband wouldn't think like that.  He would not immediately count the cost of seeing a friend.  No way! 

Now, I am regreting my selfish thoughts.  It is good to have a warm, generous husband who has people at heart.  He has taught me much about giving until it hurts.  You see, I would still go to see this friend, in spite of the difficulties, because true friends do not come to us by the dime a dozen.  True friends are just that.  True.  There are some friends that have cared for you in special ways.  They have talked with you when you have been discouraged.  They have sent a card to you when you were ill.  They have laughed with you as well as cried with you.  Many of them have lasted for many decades and will pick right back up where they left off each time you see each other.  The older I get, the more I appreciate my friends.  I love to get their phone calls, e-mails, cards and pictures.  Why wouldn't I drive an hour to see an old friend?  She would feel so much disappointment since we see each other only once or twice a year.  Her calls and prayers have meant so much to me!  I had better get up early and get on the road........

Later:  My intentions were really, really good!  I am happy about that, however, the facts were that I went out to the car the next morning and found I had a flat tire.  I ended up getting a car repairman to come over, put air in my tire so that I could drive it over to the gas station and had to leave the car over night, while they found a new tire.  The next day was almost gone before I got my car back.  Is it true that my good intentions do not count?