A Visit to Fireside Place: Part 1: I-4

          Once a month, I leave my humble home in an agricultural area of Florida to travel I-4 to see my mom in Orlando. It is a congested artery year round but worse during the winter months. I pass signs that read Fantasy of Flight, Legoland, Sea World and all the Disney Parks.  Also, I zip past gaudy souvenir shops and lush, green golf courses.

          Whenever I go this way, I always remember the times I visited Disney World and when my sister was a Monorail operator there. And I always recall the place where Herbie I, my PT Cruiser died when my son crashed it into the back of our truck that my husband, Bob, was driving. It was right under the Mickey Mouse high wires and before International Drive. We all stopped suddenly during heavy traffic in January when the cars ahead of us saw a police car with its lights flashing. My car was totaled. We had to quickly go and buy another one, a bright red 2011 model that we immediately labeled “Herbie II”. I’ve had him for a year now and he’s running well.

          Next, I pass the Holy Land Experience and Universal Studios. I always think about the billboard that says “Be Extraordinary” and wonder if I am. And I remember my experiences in those parks as well.

          Then, about an hour after my journey began, I approach downtown Orlando and one of the first things I see is the Merita Bread sign: an icon that’s been around longer than 40 years. I used to be able to smell the bread baking before A/C was standard equipment on my car.

           I pass the toll road and am glad I don’t have to take that any more. Mom lives closer now; not far from downtown Orlando and near our old neighborhood; the one we all grew up in Winter Park.

          Now, I turn at the Amelia Street exit and go down Colonial Drive, past all the Vietnamese restaurants, the Chinese market with the huge Budda statues and other places with squiggly-lined, oriental signs out front.  I pass the old Colonial Photo and Hobby store where we used to buy our stamps and coins (Bob and I) before there were video games, cell phones and computers. The store is half the size it used to be. I dwelt on the sweet thoughts of yesteryear; how life was so much more undemanding and simpler back then.

          Finally, I pass the mall and turn down a couple of streets until I enter the exclusive downtown development of Barclay Park. It used to be a military base but it closed years ago and has been converted into homes. My mom’s condo is located here on Fireside Place. I always can spot hers by the worn rattan furniture and half-dead plants that clutter the front porch.

          I then breathe a sigh of relief. I’ve arrived safely. I park across the street in the day care parking lot and get out and enjoy the warm sun on my face as I cross the street to the front door. Thank you, Lord, I whisper to myself, I’m glad I finally made it safely and without any accidents along the way. I-4 was good to me today.

A Quiet New Years Eve

It was just another quiet New Year’s Eve; another warm Florida day in my sleepy, little town.

I looked around the crowded grocery store. Where was he?

I was looking for John and couldn’t find him anywhere. He was my autistic client and it was getting me worried.

Turning around, I saw two forlorn-looking plants sitting there on the shelf wilting under the bright fluorescent lights. They were two tiny poinsettia plants left over from Christmas I assumed.

“How much are those?” I asked the lady in the Floral Department. “It says .99. Is that correct?” I picked them up to scrutinize them more.

“Oh, shucks!” She replied smiling at me and shaking her head. “You can have ‘em for 25 cents each. They look about dead.”

I looked at them again, They didn’t look that bad to me. They just needs some watering and some good Florida sun.

“I could plant these in something bigger or in the back yard.”

“Yes, you could. They grow good here as long as you water them.”

“Thanks,” I said and took my last two quarters out of my purse. It lifted my mood a little to be able to buy something. “Oh, no.” she said. “You pay at the registers.”

“Okay,” I said, “but can you do me a favor?”

“What?” she asked.                                     

“Call for John Smith over your loudspeakers. I can’t find him anywhere.”

She called out his name just as he walked back into the store with a big soft drink in his hand and a bag of groceries and looked around to see where I was.

I yelled, of course, and waved my hand, “Over here, John!” And he turned and ran over to me.

“Leaving without me, eh? You know you’re not supposed to do that. Besides, I am buying these two little plants and we have to pay up front.

“Oh,” he said. “I’m sorry. I forgot you went to the restroom. I already checked out.”

“Yes, I see. And you didn’t wait for me. Next time, please don’t wander off.”

So I went to buy my two plants with my two quarters in hand.

 Suddenly, I hear voices yelling, “Mrs. B! Mrs. B!” Next thing I know, three little girls were giving me bear hugs. “We LOVE you, Mrs. B! We love you! When are you coming back to our school?”

My substitute teaching takes me to a lot of places but I am amazed a lot of the kids remember me. I feel like a school circuit rider and sometimes even like a celebrity.

“I’m coming in a few weeks. See you then. Love you too.” I hugged them back.

So I got my little plants and went home. I had to hurry and drop John off. That afternoon I had another person to watch, Mr. Rivera, an elderly man. I had to warm up his dinner and then run home and cook my own dinner for me and Bob.

When I got home that afternoon, I was ready to prepare our supper and have a quiet evening at home. I was tired after a very busy day.

Bob looked at me oddly.

“You don’t have to cook tonight, hon. We’re going out for dinner.”

“But, we don’t have any money.” I replied.

“Yes we do. Our friend and former relative Steve Johnson came by this afternoon. He introduced me to his new girlfriend and asked me what we were doing tonight. I told him we were broke and were just going to stay home. He gave me a $100.00 bill and told me to take you out. He said he just inherited a million dollars.”

“How on earth did he inherit a million dollars?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t ask him that. I just took the money.”

So we went out to eat. The rest we put in the offering at church. It’s an encouraging sign.

God’s got some great things in store for us this year. I just know it.

And it was just another quiet, but special, New Year’s Eve in my sleepy little town…