The Helpfulness of Strangers

[ali1257]

I learned a valuable lesson today about worrying. I have been worried about our upcoming trip and the possibility that something could go wrong and what would I do if something happened to Ron. Many of my friends have been telling me that there would always be someone around to help me. I would tell myself I believe them but then continue worrying.

Well today as I sat drinking my cup of coffee and listening to the wind blow I wondered if I could close the awning by myself or if it would be okay till Ron returned from Everson. As the wind picked up, I decided to go out and hook the awning to the motor home to at least try to keep it from blowing over in the wind especially since the one leg had already blown up towards the motor home. I hooked each leg into the side of the motor home, thinking that went well. As I was standing looking at the awning a couple drove by. The woman rolled down her window and asked if I needed some help with the awning. I politely answered “no” thinking “what the heck am I going to do?” After a quick conversation of “I think it will be okay” along with a note of hesitancy in my voice, the lady and her husband were out of their car. The lady said a couple of times, “it’s no problem us helping you. It’s better to put it up then chance it blowing up and over the motor home. It’s really windy and it’s not supposed to let up.”

We began the task of loosening the metal bars and rolling up the awning. It got stuck two or three times and finally another gentleman came over and talked with the first man. They set right to work, loosening up another bar and locking it into place along side the motor home while the woman and I held onto the ends. All of a sudden one man said, “let it roll” and wha la , it rolled up. The only problem one side was taller than the other. “That’s okay.” said one man as he pulled down on the side railing popping into place.
The woman, said “nice job guys” and to me added “there, now you don’t have to worry about the awning blowing over with the wind coming up as it is” as if she had been reading my mind.

I thanked them all a couple of times and as they each left on their way, I thanked the Lord for sending me help before I even asked for it and for the reminder that I am not alone. You see, God showed me in this little experience that He will always take care of me and that I need not worry about things going wrong on our trip.

[mitch5252]

..

Doesn't it make ya feel good when someone does something nice, just for the heck of it?
And all you have to do now is pay it forward.

Glad you had a good day!

..

[jemek]

I have been telling you to stop worrying that things would be fine.

Now have Ron give you some more awning lessons...LOL

[avalen]

RV folks are so helpful to each other, and I'm a firm believer in "pay it forward"
rest easy now and don't fret

[AlmostThere]

What a beautiful testimony, Ali! God has all kinds of angels out there to help us. And I try to remember that not only do I get blessed when someone goes out of their way to help me, but they get blessed, too, in knowing that they were there for me.

[retiredhappy]

I travel alone and never hesitate to ask for help if I need it. RVers are so very, very nice. I jump in to help whenever I see the need, too.

[Cedar518]

Good for you Ali. Lesson learned: never be hesitant to ask for help as RVers are good and helpful folks.

As a woman who often camps with another woman friend I have a hard and fast rule. Anyone who camps with me must be able to do it all, in case i get hurt,.. and they need to know the "why" of it not just the routine task. This includes awnings, leveling, dumping holding tanks, managing gas/electric frige, lighting the pilot on the oven and most of all hitching and towing. Gotta tell you sisters,... my pal Kathy can back up better than I can but she says it's because i give good hand signals. Now we have one thing left for her to learn,... how to give good hand signals!

so all of you women who travel with your DHs,... be sure you can do it all, everything including towing. or if you have a MH, driving that. It will save you a lot of worrying!

I'm glad your story had a happy ending Ali,....

[Gentleladybear]

You should be very happy you got it down before the wind took it. I didn't and mine ended up costing $5,000 to make all the repairs. It rolled my rubber roof back, so now have a new roof, crushed all the covers on the roof. Tore the awning up. So now I have a like new motorhome. But had to do without the motorhome for over a month while the repairs were being made. So from experience, if the wind might come up, put that awning down, if you need help, accept it without hesitation, could save you a very costly repair.

I had two gentleman help me get the awning off the roof and had to call a friend to bring the awning home for me, I couldn't move it.

Nan

[Sparkle]

I'm so happy that you realise there will always be someone to help you. We are a frendly bunch! But please make a point of learning how to do it yourself. Take it down and put it up while Ron is there. Make notes and refer to them until you are comfortable. The best compliment I ever got was when I was unhitching and setting up...a woman said to her husband, "Why don't you go over and help that lady?" She told me later that he watched for a few minutes and replied "She seems to be doing fine on her own." Wouldn't you like to hear that about you?

[rvgrammy1953]

Ernie has taught me "how to do" the outside stuff and I help him quite alot when we set up....now, if I could only get him to learn the "inside stuff"....