It's funny how we can meet someone, a short chance meeting, and they leave an impression that is forever imprinted on our life. I have to think this happens more often than we may realize.

I met someone this morning. I cross interstate 81 each morning on my way to work. I was irritated at myself for not stopping for gas on my way home last night, hating to have to stop this morning. It was early morning, the first streaks of daylight just starting to emerge. The station was quiet compared to the usual activity. Only one car, besides mine, at the pumps and a few rigs on the other side of the station. I pumped my gas and as I got to the door of the station, a young man was coming out. He looked to be 16 or 17, although he could have been 18 or 19. The kid held the door open for me as I entered. I said, "Thank you." He replied, "Oh you're very welcome ma'am." I thought, "He's a very nice young man." I smiled and I felt my spirits lift.

I paid for the gas and as I got back to my car, I heard the same chipper voice say, "Excuse me ma'am, could you tell me how far I am from interstate 66 East?" I replied, "I'm not sure how many miles but you've got quite a long way to go yet. Where are you headed?" He explained that he was on his way to South Philly to a friend's house (internet friend maybe). He told me that he had used mapquest to find his route but that his printer had run out of ink so he had to write down the directions. He pulled a small note book from his pocket and proceeded to show me the directions he had written down.

As he talked, I could tell he had never driven a trip like this and especially alone. I explained to him that he was still at least 45 miles from Bristol and the Virginia state line and probably another 3 to 3 1/2 hours to Roanoke and that I wasn't sure how far it was to Lexington/Staunton and interstate 66 from there. He seemed to think he was much closer to these places than he actually was. I told him that he could take interstate 81 all the way to Scranton Pa. and then take the PA turnpike if he wanted to avoid the traffic of Baltimore and DC, although it would make his trip a little longer in actual miles. He seemed pleased to know that if he missed his turnoff, he wasn't totally lost. As we talked I was thinking, "You are so young to be out here on your own. Please be careful!!", "Enjoy your adventure but don't be too trusting of everyone you meet.", "Call your mother as often as you can.", "That cigarette isn't good for you and for gosh sakes, pull your pants up before you trip over them!!!".

As we finished our conversation, he thanked me and I replied, "Drive safely and good luck". He went back to pumping his gas as I left. I thought about him as I drove away and wondered what his mother was thinking/feeling. Was she worried about him and praying for her son's safety? I found myself praying that he had a concerned mother and that he was in contact with her as he traveled.

All day this kid has been on my mind. I have whispered a prayer for his safety often today. I hope his adventure is an enjoyable one. I pray he meets with no car problems, no one who might take advantage of his youth, and that whatever happens along the way, he emerges from this experience with a new knowledge - a new appreciation for people, for life and for this great country we live in.

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