Grumpy the Gator

In Grumpy the Gator, a group of children playing encounter a grumpy alligator. The story teaches children to always keep a safe distance from animals in the wild, and to find an adult if they see an alligator.

Grumpy the Gator

Its Always A Story With The Hendersons

Birthday Lunch…Wrong Car

“Let’s go to lunch and celebrate your birthday and my birthday.” A dear friend recently suggested we go to a local restaurant and celebrate birthdays. Of course, I agreed. After finding a time that suited both of us, we scheduled the day and looked forward to the special time together.

On the chosen day, my dear friend drove us to the destination. A lovely local eatery known for delicious food. Along the drive, we chatted about the recent happenings in life. From joys to worries, this is a trusted friend with whom anything can be shared.

We arrived at the restaurant, entered the building and the front desk person greeted us with a smile. Sharing that we had a reservation, the server took us to our table immediately. The place was crowded as it was lunch time. Sounds of conversations between patrons and staff filled the air. Laughter became louder as chats continued. Dishes of delectable food being delivered and placed on tables made me pause to see what people were ordering.

After placing our orders for food and beverage, my friend and I continued talking. Grandchildren are always a topic of conversation. The delight of living close to those special children was evident in our shared stories of the new school year, overnight visits, and more.

The food arrived and we enjoyed every bite. Dessert was chosen after we had finished eating our meal. Yummy to the tummy. In fact, there was so much food that we asked for “to go” boxes for the extra food.

The time had come for us to leave the restaurant and return home. After thanking our server, paying the bills, and grabbing our food to take home, we stood and walked to the front door. Continuing to chat and laugh, my friend and I watched for vehicles as we crossed the parking lot. All was clear and we headed to her car.

I walked to the passenger side and began trying to open the door. Nothing happened. Dear friend was on the driver’s side attempting to open her door. Nothing happened there either. A few moments passed and I heard her say, “This isn’t my car.”
Yes, we were so busy talking and enjoying the day that we attempted to enter the wrong vehicle.
There was a similarity between the vehicles. Same color, same brand.
Only problem was that it was a different model of SUV and definitely did not belong to my sweet friend.

Laughter began and we giggled all the way to the correct car. When we were seated in the correct vehicle, I turned to my friend and said, “You know, “It’s Always A Story With the Hendersons”. She laughed and agreed. Now, she feels like a Henderson, too.
Good thing we didn’t set off any car alarms.

This funny situation caused me to thank God for the laughter and blessed friendships He brings to our lives. We may try a wrong door at some point, but God will lead us to the correct door. I am thankful to know the door to God is open and available in every moment.

Have a blessed day,
Mimi aka Melissa Henderson

12+
28 Comments
  • JD Wininger
    Posted at 11:46h, 22 September Reply

    Some call it “absent-mindedness”, I choose to call it “DB” (Distracted Brain). It’s those moments when we place our bodies and mind on auto-pilot because we’re distracted by thoughts, ideas, conversation, and fellowship. It happens. I once got fussed at by the owner of a vehicle I climbed into by mistake. Another good reason to lock your car doors. LOL

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 12:42h, 22 September Reply

      Haha! Oh my! Getting into the wrong car would have been a truly odd experience. Yes, lock your car doors. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Karen Ruhl
    Posted at 14:00h, 22 September Reply

    This made me laugh, and I believe many of us may have done this before. So glad the car alarm didn’t go off – or the owners didn’t come and ask what you were doing! Fun story.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 15:25h, 22 September Reply

      Thank you Karen. Glad this story made you laugh. I laugh when thinking of what happened Yes, no alarms. haha! Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Ava Pennington
    Posted at 14:30h, 22 September Reply

    Funny to read this today. Yesterday I enjoyed lunch with a friend. The server seated us by a window with a view of my car and I noticed the same make, model, and color SUV parked next to mine. During our lunch, that driver headed to her vehicle. But she opened my car door, paused with a confused expression, and realized her mistake!

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 15:26h, 22 September Reply

      That is so funny! I think this happens to a lot of people. The more I share, the more people are sharing their own experiences. haha! Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Nancy E. Head
    Posted at 14:49h, 22 September Reply

    I almost tried to get into the wrong car yesterday. Good thing people lock their doors. God bless, Melissa!

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 15:27h, 22 September Reply

      Haha! Yes, good thing most car doors are locked. 🙂 Have a blessed day!

  • Melinda Viergever Inman
    Posted at 17:03h, 22 September Reply

    I love your warm, humorous Henderson stories. It reminds me of my family of origin. Always the stories. Always the laughter. Keep on sharing these word pictures of your delightful life filled with laughter.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 19:20h, 22 September Reply

      Thank you Melinda. You are so kind. Yes, I will keep sharing. God gives me lots of things to laugh about. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Barbara Harper
    Posted at 17:27h, 22 September Reply

    I’ve done similar things, usually in a grocery store parking lot. I can’t figure out why my keyless fob isn’t working, then I look inside the car and realize it’s not mine. I’m glad most people do lock their doors and most car alarms aren’t oversensitive. Once in another parking lot, we noticed a really snazzy sports car. One of my sons stepped closer to get a better look, and the car’s alarm bellowed out, “Step away from the vehicle!” Embarrassing!

    I’m thankful our Father directs us with gentle nudges when we start to go the wrong way or place…or car.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 19:19h, 22 September Reply

      Oh my!!! I would have jumped and screamed if the vehicle told me to step away. haha!! Yes, I am thankful for the Father’s gentle nudges, too. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Meghann Whistler
    Posted at 17:55h, 22 September Reply

    Ha ha — I’m glad you figured it out quickly! Laughter is the best medicine for the soul!

    And happy birthday to you and your friend! 🎂💕

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 19:18h, 22 September Reply

      Thank you so much. I agree that laughter is the best medicine. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Jessica Brodie
    Posted at 20:56h, 23 September Reply

    That’s so funny! I have done this, too, and my daughter actually climbed into someone else’s unlocked car (thinking it was mine) after church one day! Then she realized her mistake and was mortified.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 23:13h, 23 September Reply

      Oh my! I bet your daughter was shocked. I think a lot of us make this mistake. haha! Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • SimplyCoffeeandJesus;ByPaula
    Posted at 01:52h, 24 September Reply

    Happy Birthday!!! I had to chuckle because I can so relate. I’m tickled to hear you and your friend had a blast. Blessings.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 12:33h, 24 September Reply

      Thank you so much for the birthday wishes. Yes, there’s always something to laugh about around here. 🙂 Have a blessed day!

  • June Foster
    Posted at 21:55h, 24 September Reply

    How funny. I’ve done that so many times and always look around, hoping the driver doesn’t come up and accuse me of theft.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 23:37h, 24 September Reply

      Haha! We have so much in common. 🙂 We should write a book together. 🙂 Have a blessed weekend dear friend.

  • karentfriday
    Posted at 00:11h, 25 September Reply

    Fun story, Melissa. I’ve done something like that trying to open another black 4-Runner door with my key, then realized it wasn’t mine. 🙂

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 13:31h, 25 September Reply

      Thank you Karen. Isn’t it funny how there are so many people who go to the wrong vehicle? We obviously have our minds on something else. haha! Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Karen
    Posted at 05:17h, 26 September Reply

    I can identify with that situation, Mimi. While on vacation last week, I as driving a black SUV. We walked up to a black vehicle in the hotel parking lot one morning and prepared to get inside. Oddly, the door opened. Initially I was stunned to see the interior with personal items that weren’t mine. Then we began to laugh as we realized it wasn’t ours, which was parked next to it. I hope that driver remembered to lock his doors! Lol. Wishing you a blessed week xoxo.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 11:49h, 26 September Reply

      Wow, that must have been a shock. haha! I hope that driver remembers to lock the doors in the future. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Lynn J Simpson
    Posted at 12:23h, 27 September Reply

    God will lead us to the right door. Sometimes we almost hurt ourselves trying to open doors that are not ours! Lol! One time, I had just gotten into my car, when the passenger door opened and a gal slid herself on the seat. We looked at each other and then she gasped, realizing she got in the wrong car! She left quickly, but both of us had an astonished laugh.

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 12:32h, 27 September Reply

      Amen. God will lead us to the right door. I think God uses these wrong car situations to remind us to slow down and focus on Him and not self. Laughter is good for the soul. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Matilde Mbulo
    Posted at 07:45h, 25 October Reply

    Am amazing, light-hearted read. I really enjoyed reading your article. Have a blessed day🙂

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 22:47h, 25 October Reply

      Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Have a blessed day. 🙂

Leave a Reply to Melissa G. HendersonCancel reply