Small town America

I have never even come close to writing a journal and will probably never write one again, but I simply couldn't help myself after the treatment I got in a small town in Nebraska.

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Auburn, NE. 05/24,25,26/2011

I had just delivered my load in Omaha, NE and made the 85 mile trip south to Auburn, NE to pick up a load of Power Rakes from Ariens, to be delivered in Indianapolis, IN., when the truck I was in had some major issues. Turbo went out, power divider went out and needless to say, I was going to be spending some quality time in The Plains State.

The garage I went to, Mellage Garage, was run by a man in his mid 50's named Bob. Bob the Mechanic.

Bob the Mechanic was quite possibly one of the most genuine, friendly people I've ever met. Quite the contrast from the self absorbed sht heals on the east coast. Mid way through the day, Bob, a stocky man with the type of frame that was a product of working on the farm and in the garage for most of his life, came strolling up to my truck and said, "I'm going to take Billy home so he can get his truck, when I come back, we'll go to lunch. That is unless you have anything else to do." I said I didn't have anything penciled in and I'd be grateful.

Bob picked me up in his F-350 and apologized for all the clutter. He asked me what I like to eat, to which I replied, I'll eat anything. We hit the Chinese Buffett for a great lunch, after which, Bob picked up the tab. A man I had never met, saw a guy who was someplace he hadn't intended on being and extended a kind hand.

Bobs generosity and gentle spirit didn't end with me. Everybody that came in the shop was greeted by their first name, with a personal twist to each visitor. "Mornin' Elmer, how's the world turnin' for ja today?"..."Hey Dalton! How's your milk cow?"..."What's up Bobbie? That dyke holding up for you ok?"

The next day, I figured it was my turn to get Bob lunch, so I walked across the street to the local mexican place. After I gave Bob his lunch, an older gentleman walked up to us with a bit of apprehension. Bob noticed this and immediately put him at ease with his greeting..."Afternoon Dean! Staying on dry land?" That's what I came to see you about Bob. My ditch is filling up and I heard you may have a pump that works, that'll do the job. I need to pump it over the dyke wall before the water hits my seed. (Dean just planted Alfalfa the week prior and it hadn't taken root yet)

Without hesitation, Bob gave him directions to his dads place where he kept an 8" pump in the back of an old, 1959 International pick up truck to keep it dry, said there's a new battery, just past that old pile of lumber, and for Dean to use it as long as he needed it. Dean responded with a grateful thank you and let Bob the Mechanic know that his wife was making some fresh Pecan Pie that he'd have her deliver to him when it was done.

I talked with Bob about the contrast of how he handled the situation with Dean and how people I've dealt with in larger cities, namely, the East Coast, would have handled it. In my experiences, they would have rented the pump to Dean, tried to sell it to him, or flat out said no, they didn't have one available. Bob told me, "Paul, the way I look at it, if I have something that I'm not using and somebody else can benefit from it, God Bless em, it's theirs as long as they need it. One day, I may need a hand. Life's too short to keep score."

This attitude is going extinct in America. People feel the need to look to the government for handouts, bailouts, free money, Obama money. I'm not against helping people, in fact, quite the contrary. I just don't honestly believe this country is going to grow with the help of government handouts. (welfare, foodstamps, et.al.) This country was built on people helping each other and until we get back to that mentality, this country will continue to fall apart.

People like the ones in Auburn,NE. made this country what it is today. The greatest country in the world.
God Bless America
Paul the truck driver.