I believe in the power of miracles. If you do not, then my story will probably not change your mind. It is true and has convinced me of a loving God. Like most things non-tangible it could easily be explained away as happenstance, chance, or coincidence. Time is a rented gift the lord gives us. How we choose to repay that rent is what separates believers and nonbelievers alike. Christmas 2001 was when the rent came due for my father. He was 83 years young and still tough as a two dollar steak. He had seen in his day the world transition from horse to horseless. He had paid his dues in WWII then paid some extra in the Korean conflict. He found humor in almost everything even though life had dealt him some swift blows. He had somehow managed to find a zest for life even after laying 2 of his six children and a wife of 60yrs to rest. He was a grand example of the Greatest Generation that Tom Brokaw wrote about. Like most little boys of my era it was still fashionable to consider your dad a hero. He was larger than life so I'll take no responsibility for believing he would live forever. However November 2001 he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He had been a smoker most of his life but had found the strength to quit smoking at age 78. To late but his resolve for life was that great.

  I was driving truck for a firm based in Mn. who happened to have a terminal in Champaign, IL. I was living in Peoria, IL just 1 1/2 hrs away. December 21st and I had just delivered a load in Des Moine, IA. After delivering this load I went to the Pilot Travel center in Des Moineto fuel, shower, and get a meal. I was fairly confident my next load would take me home for Christmas. I had put in for time off at Christmas, and it is the one holiday most trucking firms move heaven and earth to accommodate. I fueled my rig, parked,went in for a shower, and a hot meal. Upon completing the dreary task of lugging a nap sack into the travel center for my shower, waiting in line to get my shower, and finally getting a shower. I wandered into the restaurant for a meal and to call my dispatcher. After ordering my meal a young man possibly in his late twenties approached my table. He introduced himself and stated he had seen me come in from my truck, and that he worked for the same trucking firm. I offered to buy him a cup of coffee. We soon discovered through some pleasant conversation we had the same dispatcher, what a small world. He was fairly new to trucking and was pondering his chances for getting home for the holidays. I assured him that all trucking companies honor this request. He still seemed apprehensive. He went on to explain he had two little children whom would be sorely upset if he didn't get home on Christmas day. I told him not to worry. Soon as I finished my meal we would call dispatch, and his fears could be put to rest. I cannot say that being older is all that great, however I can say having a little experience in this situation felt good. Yes it was pleasing to play the wise sage. I made some small talk while I ate. I explained my father had been diagnosed withlung cancer just last month. I explained the Doctors had given him 6 months to live. I joked that he would outlive me and the Doctors. The young man offered sympathies for my ailing dad. I had hoped the severity of the conversation would help this young man not dwell on his wish to be home for Christmas. I was mistaken. True to my word when I had finished my meal I phoned our mutual dispatcher.  The dispatcher had some disturbing news. He explained that there were 2 loads 1 load would get either of us home for Christmas and loaded tomorrow. The other load was already waiting in Champaign, IL but delivered 12-26. Which would mean I could leave right away, but would be unable to stay home for Christmas. I would however get by the house for a day maybe two. It would also allow me an opportunity to visit my sisters in Joplin, MO. for a couple of hours. I did not hesitate and volunteered for the load which delivered in Laredo, TX. the 26th. I knew my wife would be disappointed, but I also knew she would understand. I also knew it was the right thing to do so this young man could see his kids. Little did I realize it was also the best thing for me. A miracle cloaked in disappointment. I copied my load information then handed the phone to the young man sitting across the table from me. While I sipped my coffee I seen him tear up a little while getting the news from dispatch. He hung up the phone and thanked me repeatedly. I told him he was welcome and explained I would leave right away. We wished each other a happy holiday as I made my way to my truck.

 I bee-lined for my house calling my wife en-route. I explained the situation. She said she was a little disappointed, but given the same choices, she would have done the same. I took a little pride in that and knew she was a keeper. While at home I called my sister in Joplin, MO. I explained I would be leaving in the morning to get my trailer in Champaign, IL. Then I would route myself through Joplin, MO. and be able to spend an hour or two with her and my other sister. By golly I would make the best of this holiday come hell or high water. That is when she shattered my world with the latest news of Dad. She said rather than to spend Christmas with them my time would be better used visiting Dad who was not expected to live more than a day or two. He was hospitalised in Lebanon, MO. which also lies in the path of my direction. I had not expected this. The Doctors had said six months which I had mistakenly interpreted as forever. I wasted no time and after fetching my trailer headed straight for Lebanon, MO. Luckily Lebanon has a truck stop where I obtained permission to drop my trailer for a few hours. So I could bob-tail to the hospital. I arrived at the hospital and found my way to his room.

 I could not believe my watering eyes. He was tooth pick thin and emaciated. This man who gave me life, taught me about life, and gave me a sense of humor. Lay dying before my eyes. He was awake and I could see the fear in his eyes. How strange I thought. I had seen compassion, concern, even anger in his eyes. This was the first time I had ever seen fear in his eyes. We stumbled through some small talk till we found something that made us laugh. The Doctor came in to check on him and caught us laughing. He smiled approvingly and I requested a moment of his time alone. He agreed. I asked if this could really be the end for my dad. Or was this just the first of many bouts to come? He assured me of my greatest fear, it was time for him to take that lonesome walk. Perhaps in an hour most likely within a day or two. He went on to say that making my father laugh was perhaps the greatest gift he could recieveat this point. I returned to that room and did my best. When it was time for me to go I told my father if he didn't have all those tubes running into him I'd give him a big hug. It was an act of affection from my generation that he was never comfortable with. I would some time hug my father in jest to see him squirm. He was old school and his generation did not hug. To my surprise his frail little self sat up, arms outreached, and ready for that hug. This was the last time I would see my father alive. I drove hard to deliver my load in Laredo, TX. the 26th. Hoping against all odds the next trip would send me back in time to see him one more time. It was not to be. While being unloaded the 26th my sisters had called to say after being sent home with hospice he had expired. They explained it was peaceful and that he was resigned to it. They also said his last words were of humor. Seems one of the hospice nurses had suggested that someone might fetch a fan to blow cool air on him. My father owned two fans of the same kind, one bought to replace a non-working one. When one of my sisters returned from the storage room she had selected the non-working one. When the mistake was discovered his 2nd wife.(yes he remarried at the age of 77) Remarked there was another fan just like that one out in the storage room. My father raised up and said "Why bother then". the last words he ever spoke. He soon passed with all his surviving children exept me in attendance. Now you may say that this was a coincidence. The fact that a path I had not intended took me to my fathers side at his time of need. As for me I will always believe it was divine intervention. I will always take comfort in the knowledge. If the Lord found it possible for my fathers last wish to be granted. He lies in Gods arms now. I believe miracles are all around us. How we interpret these events are up to us.