Single Does Not Mean Lonely

By Jacque Dodson 

“Find your perfect partner.” 

“Magnify your assets for a future mate.” 

These slogans lure many singles into the on-line dating scene.  Speed dating and hiring matchmakers are some additional ideas offered for filling in the empty hours and alone times of singleness.

However, a church bulletin provided an answer to my quest.

The following Saturday morning I followed a map to the SOS moving site.  Dozens of people buzzed in and out of the large U-Haul truck strategically parked near the stairs.  

“Hey, over here,” my friend, Toni, waved to catch my attention.  “Park anywhere and grab a box.”
The marked spaces were taken.  Some cars were parked along curbs.  I picked the closest available location – not exactly a designated space.  

Box in hand, I followed Toni into the kitchen.  All cupboards remained full.  “Our work is cut out for us,” she sighed.  The camaraderie among friends provided laughter for all.  New and old alike worked side by side until voices echoed within empty rooms.

“Pizza for lunch at the new location,” the message passed among the workers.  Everyone scattered and made their way to cars.  

“I’m parked closest, let’s ride together.”  Toni directed me to her car.  Several others joined us.  In one fell swoop the apartment emptied.

The new location had a downstairs apartment and a bounty of parking spaces.  Everyone unloaded the truck and unpacked boxes.  An entire apartment had been packed up and delivered before noon.  
We beat the arrival of pizza due to be delivered at noon.

“Let’s go back to the old place and bring our cars over here,” Toni suggested.  “It will make for a quick get-away once lunch is over.”   

As we rounded the corner of the old apartment’s parking lot, all agreed it looked deserted now that the truck and workers were gone.  Each passenger located their car and agreed to meet for pizza–everyone except me.

“Did you move your car?”  Toni leaned forward and searched the lot.  “I thought you parked it along the curb.  

A sense of dread overwhelmed me.  Thoughts bumped into questions as my mind raced to come up with answers.  Yes, we are in the right parking lot.  Did I lock the car?  Someone must have taken my car.  Yes, the keys are in my pocket.  Where is my car?  My wallet and cell phone are in the car.

“Yes, I parked it by the curb,” and pointed toward the now empty location.  Our eyes locked on the sign positioned directly in front of us – the one that must have been next to my car.  Other signs offering the same warning were strategically positioned around the lot.  Vehicles parked in red zoned areas will be towed at owner’s expense.     

Toni called the number listed.  “What?  It will cost $220?”  Wide eyes looked back at me.
We arrived for pizza a little subdued and found everyone else enjoying their time of visiting through mouthfuls of pizza.  

Toni held up her hands.  “I want to thank everyone for your time this morning.  You’ve proved that ‘many hands make light work.’ Congratulations are due to the organizers of this move – a smooth one to be sure.”  Applause and cheers almost drowned out her next statements.

“There remains one more item of business.  One of our workers had her car towed.  It requires $220 to be released. It will be very much appreciated if you can help in any way.”  

Pockets and purses were emptied.  In a few short minutes the total amount had been collected.
The entire experience of lending a helping hand to someone turned into a blessing for me.  Not only was an immediate need met, but I no longer felt alone and on my own in this world.  God filled my life with another family.  These people enjoyed each other’s company and provided for others’ needs.  

Put yourself out there into a life of service.  There is a wealth of opportunities to become involved with others and, in the process, remove the loneliness factor from single life.

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