Author Amy Laundrie
  • Books
  • Articles
  • Presentations
  • Teachers
  • Contact
  • [YouTube]
  • Books
  • Articles
  • Presentations
  • Teachers
  • Contact
  • [YouTube]

4th of July Gratitude

July 11, 2019
new-years-eve-1953253_640-1

Earlier this week I buckled on a fanny pack so my phone would be safe during my bike ride. I set out and enjoyed cruising on a remote country road with rolling hills. I continued onto Highway O and headed north so I could view the scenic Baraboo bluffs. Pedaling along, I enjoyed the smell of clover fields and the calls of the red-winged blackbirds.

As I zipped down a steep hill, I reveled in the exhilarating feeling of the wind rushing against my face. It’s moments like this that I count my blessings and feel lucky to be alive.

After a short water break, I decided to complete the loop and return home. My phone would be ringing shortly to remind me of a commitment.

My phone. I patted the fanny pack. Empty. I’d never taken my phone out of my shallow shorts pocket and put it in the fanny pack. And my pocket was empty. There was a chance I’d left the phone at home, but anxious, I decided to backtrack. If it had fallen out, it would be right in the path of a car.

I never spotted it, and I didn’t find it at home, either. I used the landline to call it. Hoping to hear it ringing from inside a pocket or a corner of a room, I held my breath. Nothing.

I walked downstairs and tried again. No ringing here, either.

The third time I stuck my head in the car hoping I’d hear it. Instead, a voice answered. “Hello?”

I jumped.

“Uh, hello,” I stammered. “I was bike riding, and I think I dropped my phone.”

“Yes, I have it. I was walking my dogs, and I just spotted it on the side of the road.”

Hoorah! The woman told me where she was and I got in the car.

What were the chances? I asked myself on the drive over. I hadn’t seen another person walking all during my hour-long bike ride.

“Your timing was perfect,” the woman said. “I’d just picked it up and it rang. It’s funny, it was so hot outside I hadn’t intended to walk this far, but at the last minute, I decided to go a little farther.”

What were the chances?

On my return drive, I recalled other times people had returned things such as my daughter’s wallet. Once I’d had a chance to return a wallet after a woman had left it in a cart at Wal-Mart. What percentage of Americans would? I’m guessing quite a few.

Appreciation is running high for me this 4th of July week. Despite our country’s many troubling events, I’m thankful that I was born in America and can hop on a bike and ride past scenic, peaceful countryside.

This holiday I’ll be filled with gratitude as I head out to watch the fireworks, my phone safely zipped in my pocket.

Previous StoryWait, Watch, Hope
Next StoryA Treasure Box of Memories

Leave your comment Cancel Reply

(will not be shared)

Subscribe to receive an email for new articles by Amy Laundrie