On Sunny Lane: Why Not?

Sweetheart and I went to visit our cousins in Crawfordsville a couple of weeks ago.

They used to visit us twice a year, because they had friends and other family members to visit, who also live in the area. Because of chronic health issues, they are no longer able to make that long drive. At this point in our lives, there is nothing to prevent me and Sweetheart from driving out there. And, so we did.

As soon as we walked in the door, I was struck with just how debilitated Phyllis was. I almost regretted going there and burdening her with the extra work that our presence entailed. I knew, however, that our presence was bringing her joy, even in her tired and weakened condition. We tried to make as little impact on their lives as possible.

Since her husband does not see well enough to drive, Phyllis does all of the driving for their household. Sweetheart did all of the driving while we visited them. However, because Phyllis was not feeling well, we decided to end our visit a day earlier than we had planned and visit Holmes County OH on the way home.

Sweetheart and I have been to Holmes County several times and enjoy visiting the shops and eating at the Amish restaurants. We stayed overnight at an Amish Bed & Breakfast on one of our trips and I was hoping to do that again.

However, we were approaching the area from a different direction and, even with Siri’s help, we could not find the towns and shops we were looking for. We wandered from one road to another for an hour and a half.

Finally, we were hungry and decided to eat at the Amish Restaurant we found. Trouble is, a couple hundred other people found it, too. All of the tables were full and there was a line of people waiting outside the door. We decided to head for home.

Sweetheart wanted to take a road less traveled, so we could find a small-town restaurant where we could eat. The only place we came upon was a bar and pizza shop. It was a large venue with lots of tables inside and outside. The walls had been pulled up, so people could walk freely between the two. The place was booming.

Sweetheart and I found two seats at the end of the bar, across from a young couple. We began to talk and, before we knew it, we were deeply engrossed in conversation. It was the best time we had all day. Sadly, they had to leave just before we got our meal.

After we ate, I made a trip to the restroom. When I came back, Sweetheart was standing at the bar with a dazed look on his face.

I said, “Did you pay?”

He said, “No.”

I said, “Are you going to pay?”

He said, “No.”

I said, “Why not?”

He said, “That couple who sat across from us paid for us.”

It is a very heartwarming experience to have a stranger pay your way. I hope their hearts were warmed as much as ours were. And I wonder if they think of us from time to time, as we do of them.

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Dorothy is the author of two books—“Miles and Miracles” and “Getting It All Together “. You can purchase a book or send a comment by emailing her at dorothybutzknight@gmail.com