Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Write for the HUMOR Genre (10/09/14)
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TITLE: God Loves Humor | Previous Challenge Entry
By Julene Celander
10/11/14 -
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In a stressful world God has provided an outlet and a pressure valve release. Think of the last time you laughed until you cried and remember how you felt afterwards. Felt good, right?
In many stressful careers having a good laugh or seeing the humor in even the most trying situations can make the day brighter. Take for example this story from a state highway patrolman.
“I was on route 39 today running radar. It was a pretty boring day until I clocked an elderly lady doing thirty-six miles per hour in a sixty-five mile per hour zone. Being curious and wanting to know if the lady was okay, I turned on the reds and came up behind her.”
“She pulled over and I ran her plates. Nothing outstanding. I strolled up to the driver’s door and asked if everything was alright. As I looked into the vehicle I noticed that the other three passengers in the car were as white as sheets.”
“Hello officer,” came her reply as she handed me her driver’s license. “ I know I wasn’t speeding, so why did you stop me?”
“You are right, m’am. You weren’t speeding. You were driving too slow and I was worried about you and your passengers.”
“Too slow?” We just passed a sign back there that said thirty-nine and I know I was doing just under that.”
“M’am, that is route sign not a speed limit sign. The speed limit on this highway is sixty-five miles per hour. Are the other ladies in your car alright?”
“Well for heaven’s sake! That is a good piece of information to know officer. The other ladies will be fine. You see, officer, we just came off of route 101.”
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I used to drive a school bus. Talk about a dangerous career! Think about it. You sit with your back to the students and can only see what is going on in a rear view mirror. You are outnumbered usually forty or fifty to one. The roads in the winter are icy, snowy, and hazardous. The students are often sick and spread germs like rabbits procreate. You never know what might be concealed in a backpack…including everything from knives to snakes to kittens and puppies.
The day was Friday, October 13th and it was so foggy we couldn’t see even fifty feet in front of us. The superintendant decided to go ahead with school since the fog would surely “burn off” after the sun came up.
One of my turn-arounds was on the county line off an extremely busy U.S. highway. Therefore my transportation director suggested I find some other way to turn around at that intersection. I did and not being able to see the end of the farm driveway I chose to back the bus into, I rolled the rear end of the bus into the ditch. It was caught and I was stuck. Now I had to report in to the “boss”.
On the radio I said, “This is bus number 11 and I rolled into the ditch and can’t get out.”
The response, “Do you need another bus?”
“Yes. I am at the intersection of county line road and U.S. 65.”
“Hang tight. Mike (the mechanic) is on his way and will be there in fifteen to twenty minutes."
Immediately, I was back on the radio to my boss. “This is bus 11. I don’t know what is going on, but I am surrounded by blue lights and ambulances are on the way. I am sitting with all six tires on the ground and the differential is stuck on a hill of dirt. All is fine and no one is hurt. Please call off Chariton rescue! Lucas is already here in force.”
Mike finally arrived. He assessed the situation. His first words? “ Channels 13 and 5 are on their way in the helicopters. Do you want to stick around and talk to them or be on your way?”
I was horrified until I saw the huge grin form on his face. He was kidding and it made me laugh. The day went much better with the insertion of his humor at a time when it was needed most. The best humor that day was when I realized he had brought me bus number 13 to finish my route!
Laughter IS the best medicine. I look for the humor in almost every situation. Thank you, God, for giving us the ability to laugh…especially at ourselves!
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You probably didn't need that policeman's anecdote, as I felt it detracted from the first-hand account of the school bus challenge.
Great job of telling the story and making it pop to life!
God bless~
I loved this...Congratulations on a job well done.
God bless~
And, again thanks to all of you who review and critique my work. It has helped immensely!
Congratulations!
KJV 1 Timothy 3:16
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."