It’s a new day.   Things are changing all around us! Some changes are challenging but some changes are kinda “cool”.  My husband and I went to the Bay Area last week; we grabbed Uber from the Airport and stayed at an Airbnb…how’s that for “cool”!! 🙂  As a woman over 50,  I am having fun trying out the many new ways to do traditional things….like taking a taxi and staying in a hotel.

I have used the Uber service many times over the past year, the service is VERY convenient and affordable, but what I have loved the most has been the drivers I’ve gotten to know each time.  Many Uber drivers only drive part-time because they work full-time jobs; their Uber service helps them pay off bills, save for family vacations, etc. And each driver has a unique story:

….Abram from Israel worked hard to bring his aging parents to the USA and cared for them diligently until they passed away. He would drive to provide for his family and to be able to make travelers days so much better. He said he was always missing the food from Israel but was so grateful for the life he has been able to build for his family here.

…..Jose’ drives full-time so that he can be flexible to care for his children because his wife is going through Chemo for Breast Cancer.  He starts doing Airport runs around 4:30, drives until his family needs him, and then gets back on the clock later in the day to provide so his wife will not feel the pressure to go back to work right away. He works selflessly to take good care of his family.

…. John from the Philippines was sponsored to come to the USA by his mother. He will officially be a citizen in just a short while.  He has been here working day and night in an effort to bring his family here (wife and 2 kids) to the USA as well~ they have been separated for 3 years. We asked him why he is fighting so hard to bring his family here and he expressed that He loves being in America and is so grateful for the opportunities available.

….Jill is an artist and works alone, at the end of her day she will pop ” on the clock” and drive for an hour or two because she loves to meet new people and hear their stories; she gets her inspiration from this! Jill lives alone so she thotoughly enjoys the opportunity to have engaging and interesting people, keeps her from feeling lonely.

We all have a story and people do want to tell their stories.  Amazing stories can be found in the most surprising places ~ like the back seat of an Uber Vehicle ~ IF we are willing to ask and listen.  (After exiting the vehicle I generally wonder if I should hug the driver because they have shared who they are so openly with me…..but I refrain.)  I have been encouraged by the brave, hardworking, tenacious, and interesting drivers I have met! So glad I asked them to share their story.

Whether on a plane, in a tax (or Uber), or just standing in a long line at Costo~ could there be someone who would love to tell their story if only someone would ask?  Is there inspiration waiting right around the corner if you could just choose this simple expression, ” So tell me about yourself?”  🙂