Strawberries and Strangers

Tonight, I went to Sonic. Strawberry Cream Slushes are my favorite. It was late and fairly busy for only two workers. I waited in the drive-thru for longer than usual. But I didn't care too much.

I got my drink and the girl who delivered it to me asked me a question. This started a 2 minute conversation. Two minutes, I'm sure, were precious for such a busy night. And, in that two minutes, I was grateful for the simple kindness of a stranger. I wish I were more like that.

Tender Mercies

I am grateful for people. Aren't you? People who care. People who follow the little inklings to say something nice. Something that was just what you needed to hear. Maybe it was something that distracted you from heartache. Or relieved the stress even for a moment. Perhaps a phone call to say hi, a text message, or a conversation about nothing. Even conversations that allow one person to unload while the other just listens-are blessings. People who are in tune to the Spirit enough to follow the prompting to give a hug, make a joke, or post a little hello on Facebook are blessings to me. I am grateful for the ways the Lord puts easy moments in the midst of difficult trials. It reminds me of this...

God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs.

Pres. Spencer W. Kimball

I fully believe this. It is hard to recognize it sometimes, but I try to remember it. I need to be better at that. I know the Lord blesses those who bless His children. I've been blessed by them and I know that they are blessed in return. I only wish that I could be more like them.

Hello Tech Support? It's me again.

My laptop and I have not been together a year yet and I've already had to call the Tech Support guys 5 or 6 times. My optical drive (DVD/CD player) keeps failing. My laptop is a PC. Now, before we get into a PC vs Mac war, I will defend both. I have always loved Macs. I would love to own one. However, I also love PCs because I am familiar with them and they are generally cheaper. Its like Walmart vs. Target. Walmart is always there, its always cheap, and everyone uses it. Target is just a step above, a bit more expensive, and a bit nicer. Anyway, today I wanted to watch a movie. Seems harmless right? Well, at 2pm I realized I needed some tech support again and after another long conversation with HP, I was able to watch that movie at 3:30pm.

I'm not trying to complain about how much I've had to call HP about this problem. I was thinking today about how funny it is that I know so much about my optical drive. Each time there is a different cure. I know all about Upper & Lower Drive. I know all about the FixIT tools. I learned about BIOS. I've learned how to manage my Device Manager. I can locate my Registry Editor and find the proper folders. Each time the tech guys (from India & the Philippines) try to fix my computer through a remote control. It worked once and it was SO cool to watch my computer fix itself without me touching it! Today what worked was taking my battery out, holding the power button for 15 seconds, and turning it back on. Turns out my optical drive wasn't even broken. I just had my laptop on too long with too much power. Weird.

Anyway, each time I call, the tech guys get flustered and confused because I know so much about this problem. Kinda throws them off. I try not to be rude or get upset with these guys when it takes so long. Today, at the end of the conversation, my tech guy said thanks. He said he appreciated my patience and hoped to work with more people like me. Wasn't that nice?? It made me feel so good. Although I had to fix my computer again it made my day that I made the tech guy's day. Hopefully from this day forward, I will be a little more patient with any other tech person I may have to talk to.

Oh Mac, someday we'll be together. When I'm finally rich.