As simple as a wave

[M]AYBE MY MIND dreamed this up, but I think I once read a story about a time a wave might have been the difference between life and death.

I want to say I read it in Guideposts, but it’s been so long I’ll never be sure.

I’m not sure the story is true, either, but I like the message.

I’ll tell you my version.

A man took an afternoon drive, which he figured would be his last.

He’d been down on his luck for a while.

He couldn’t catch a break, and he couldn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel.

The man drove, and planned a permanent solution to his temporary problems.

He stared at the road ahead, and a car approached in the other lane.

The man stared at it, too.

The other driver made eye contact and waved at the man who was on his last drive.

The man was so moved someone cared enough to wave at him, he abandoned his plan and decided to come up with a better solution to his temporary problems.

If I hadn’t read some version of the story I just told you somewhere, I’d have never realized something as simple as a wave can mean so much to someone.

I wave a lot more on the road now.

I don’t wave at every car, but if I think about it I’ll wave just because of the story.

Maybe you’ve been down on your luck for a while.

Maybe you can’t catch a break, and you can’t see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Maybe you’ve even thought about a permanent solution to your temporary problems.

I’d like to tell you something.

No matter how hopeless your situation may seem to you now, there is always hope.

Your situation is temporary, and you are strong enough to make it through.

If you need help, please don’t be afraid or ashamed to look and find it.

I want you to know you’re cared about.

Even though we may not pass each other on the road, please consider these words your wave.

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This post is a response to Sue’s prompt, which is, “wave.”