Be Aware!

Are you aware of your surroundings when you go out?  America used to be such a safe place to travel, play outside, eat in restaurants, go for a walk, etc.  Of course, it still is with a little more awareness on our part.  When I used to go shopping, to the grocery store and church, my mind was filled with pleasant thoughts.

Now, in 2020, this reporter feels constantly more aware of everyday outings, even for walks in our small village.

Not long ago in North Carolina, a mother was strolling her baby on a neighborhood sidewalk when a car drove up, stopped, and snatched the baby from the stroller. She fought them but they quickly pulled away with the baby.  By the grace of God and good detective police work, the couple was found and the baby was unharmed.  I’m sure this mother will now be more aware of things around her.

Be aware of false news reports.  Don’t believe everything you hear on the news or TV talk shows, read on Facebook or in Hollywood magazines, etc.  It seems everyone has an opinion and wants to share it whether it is true or not!

Don’t leave children alone in a car while you go in to pay for gas.  Almost every day someone steals a vehicle not knowing there are children inside.  Be careful!

Keep the doors to your house locked even if you are inside and always lock your car when you get out no matter where you are.

I realize I’m not as aware as I should be.  Traveling to a city with my daughter for an appointment last week, we pulled into the order lane at a McDonald’s for a bite to eat on the way home.  It had been a long day and it was getting later than we had planned.

As she pulled out of the ordering lane, she suddenly turned our vehicle to the right parking lot instead of to the left for a stoplight.  

I had seen the parked tanker when we first arrived but SHE knew the driver’s problem.  Letting the window down, she asked this driver, “Do you need someone to order for you?” He smiled and answered “Yes” because he couldn’t order on foot and a tanker could not drive through to order.  What are these truck drivers to do if someone doesn’t look out for them?

He told us what he wanted, we proceeded around the drive-thru again and ordered his meal and drink.  We were all set to treat him his supper but he was at the serving window with his credit card to pay.  He would NOT let us pay and ended our conversation with “God Bless You” as he walked to his truck.  

You see, my daughter drives for UPS and knew this driver’s problem immediately.  That was definitely a BE AWARE lesson for me!