Jerry

When I was 17 years old, I stood in the mobile home office of a tiny used car lot in Lawrenceville, Georgia. My mom was there with me and handed me a check for $5,000, a mind blowing amount of money at that point in my life. I had worked for about 5 years babysitting, then lifeguarding then working at a cell phone store – all the while saving my funds for a car of my very own. My parents agreed to match whatever I could save to purchase a car, so my hard earned $2,500 was doubled in the check I held. I was getting ready to hand over the check in exchange for a burgundy red 1991 Chevy Blazer. It was just like the one in this picture but it was a 2 door model.

I was so proud of that car that I washed it as soon as I got home and seriously considered sleeping in it that night! I loved that car and enjoyed the freedom it brought me. I had some fun teenage adventures with friends, but I want to share with you one unlikely friend who rode in my Blazer often.

Meet Jerry.

I first met Jerry when I was volunteering in the special needs ministry at my church in Snellville. He was short and usually quiet. And he always wore a Braves baseball cap and a zip up hoodie with the sleeves rolled up about 7 times. I soon found out that Jerry lived with his brother really close to my house. And that he wanted to come to church on Sundays but didn’t have a way to get there. The 1991 Blazer saves the day!

I stopped by Jerry’s house to pick him up every Sunday morning on my way to church. I would hop out and run to his door, knocking. He would come shuffling out and climb in the passenger seat. He was never in a hurry even if I was!

I would help him buckle up and off we went. My younger sisters were usually riding in the back and we all enjoyed getting to know the enigma that was Jerry. He was a man a few words but he did make one thing clear: he liked girls! He would often cut his eyes at me when he saw a girl he thought was pretty. And gave me a thumbs up like he’s doing in the picture above. He’s wearing my sunglasses by the way!

One sunny winter Sunday afternoon, we were headed home after church and my sisters found other ways to get back. So Jerry and I were blazing a trail just the two of us. I was making small talk with him and had often wondered how old he was. Every time someone asked him how old he was, he always said “Fifty five” in his gruff, quiet voice. I had known him long enough to know he couldn’t still be 55 even if he was when he first started saying that. Well, I was about to solve the mystery.

“Jerry, how old are you?”

“Fifty five.”

“Well, when is your birthday?”

“February 23.”

“What year?” I asked, sure to get to the bottom of his age.

He looked over at me and responded, “Every year.”

An excellent and accurate answer. Every year. Well played, Jerry.

I have no idea what happened to Jerry after my sisters and I moved away to college. I’m not sure if anyone picked him up on Sunday mornings. I was off to new adventures in my red Blazer.

But I’m so glad I got to know Jerry and his witty personality. Don’t miss out on getting to know someone around you who may surprise you in a big way and teach you an unexpected lesson. I have shared the story of this conversation with Jerry many times and it still makes me laugh. Thumbs up Jerry!