Instant Karma

With apologies to the late, great, John Lennon, Instant Karma got us … In a good way. It happened unexpectedly last Friday night. Cathy and I, suffering a bit from cabin fever due to our recent sleetapocalypse and frigid temperatures, left the farm and drove to Warrenton for a dinner out.

The storm last week was … interesting. The eight hours of sleet on top of six inches of snow, followed by a week of single digit temperatures, turned everything into a skating rink. I had plowed our drive and the state did a decent job of plowing the roads, but other than a couple of quick trips to town, we had not left the farm. It was just too d@mned cold to venture out much.

 By Friday, cabin fever set in and we were a little stir crazy. We HAD to get off the farm. We drove our old Ford F250 to a favorite local restaurant, Claire’s at the Depot in Warrenton. As we arrived, no apparent street parking was available, so I dropped Cath off and told her I would find parking while she found us seats.

 After Cathy went inside, two things happened at the same time. First, I saw a parking place right in front of the front door. Second, I noticed a pickup truck ahead of me turning into a driveway then backing out and returning in my direction.

 I realized the truck turning around was probably coming back for the same spot. I knew I could back my truck into a side street, turn around quickly and snag the spot before they made it back.

 I thought about it for two seconds and then decided not to be a dick. I’d let this space go to the other driver. I turned on the side street and found street parking a block away. After parking the truck, I returned to Claire’s.

 When I reached the restaurant, sure enough the other truck was in the spot in front of the door. A woman was in the truck talking on her phone. From a distance, I waved and motioned to roll down the window, which she did.

 I said to her in a good-natured voice, “You owe me, I almost took that spot!”  She laughed and answered, “Was that you in the other truck? Thank you so much!”  We talked for about 30 seconds and then I went into Claire’s.

 It turned out a lot of people had cabin fever. The restaurant was jammed. Cathy had found us two seats at the bar, where we enjoyed a great dinner and a bottle of wine. At the end of the evening, we asked for our bill and the bartender brought it. As she handed it to me, she said, “The lady over there bought the wine for you.”

What!?

I looked over – it was the lady from the other truck! I said to our benefactor, “Oh thank you, but you can’t do that. I was just kidding outside.”

 She smiled and answered, “No, I wanted to. AND, I received a bonus at work today. A really big bonus. It was the least I could do and I wanted to share some of my good fortune.”

 Cath and I had a fun five-minute conversation with her before leaving. She eats at Claire’s often, so maybe we will see each other again. 

 It was a serendipitous evening. John Lennon had it right, at least for last Friday night:

Instant karma’s gonna get you

Going to look you right in the face

You better get yourself together

Come and join the human race…

 

Addendum:

• Karma is “rooted in ancient Indian traditions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism), and is the universal law of cause and effect, where intentional actions—mental, verbal, or physical—shape one’s destiny and future experiences. It dictates good actions produce positive outcomes, while harmful actions lead to negative consequences, often influencing future lives.” Lennon turned the thought on its head a bit with the idea of “Instant Karma.”  That is, immediate consequences to your actions. Lennon biographer Philip Norman wrote of the concept’s appeal: “The idea was quintessential Lennon – the age-old Buddhist law of cause and effect turned into something as modern and synthetic as instant coffee and, simultaneously, into a bogey under the stairs that can get you if you don’t watch out.“
• Claire’s at the Depot is an excellent restaurant in Warrenton, VA. if you are ever out this way, give it a try. Reservations recommended for dinner. Here is a link to their Website: https://www.clairesatthedepot.com/