The Guadalupe Mountains

Dear Pinkies, We’re proud to share the first official post of the Magical Eyes Tour upon which Pink Lovemuffin Extrordinaire Megan Monique Harner embarked yesterday. And wouldn’t you know it? Our Lovemuffin is already encountering miracles. Check in frequently to the Pink Posse’s Pink Effect page, where Megan will be posting regularly from the road. Enjoy reading about her first adventure – and be sure to read to the end for an opportunity to contribute to the magic. Thank you Megan, and drive on safely and courageously, surrounded by our love and support …

The Journey Begins

I left Red Oak, Texas yesterday morning (February 16, 2010) at 9:30 a.m. I hugged my Aunt Doris goodbye, loaded Jack the Dog in the car and took the first stride in my long journey across the United States for The Magical Eyes Tour. My head was swarming with uncertainties and fears. My stomach was fluttering with butterflies and a bit of nausea. “There was no turning back now,” I thought. “I have Pleaped and nothing is before me now but the open road.”
 

Jack boggled at the site of mountains

My first stop was El Paso, Texas to visit with my dear friend, Johnny. He agreed to house me for a couple days before I take off to my next destination. On the way there, my GPS somehow led me along the back roads, which were incredibly beautiful: a scenic drive through the Guadalupe Mountains and hills.

A Strange Route

However, the route was also a little nerve-racking - I was out IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. No cars, no people, no animals, no stores and certainly no gas stations for as far as I could see. For reasons beyond my understanding, I had decided to not stop of gas when my tank was at the halfway mark at the last Stripes gas station I’d passed. I suppose I figured there would be another pump before the arrow landed on the “E.” WRONG.



I searched on my GPS for the nearest fuel station. It was 38.9 miles away from where I was. My low fuel light had already come on, but I had faith in trusty “Sophia the Kia.” She had lasted me far beyond the low-fuel line before.

I Made It!

Just as the last drops of fuel were being burned in my engine, I pulled up to an old, run-down gas station, with old-school pumps and an 80-year-old man hooked up to an oxygen tank and smoking a cigarette with yellow finger nails behind the cash register. You could say it was the typical “scary movie” kind of atmosphere.



The man told me to pump my gas and come inside to pay afterwards. So I did- and for some reason my gut told me to stop at $20.00. I went inside to pay. He slid my debit card - DECLINED. He slid it again on credit - DECLINED. I started to panic. I said, “So what are my options here? Can I write you a check for tomorrow?” (I knew my check hadn’t cleared the bank just yet, although my card had worked that morning.) He said, “Nope, I don’t take checks, but I can call the cops.” My heart sank, tears began to fill my eyes and I hurriedly said, “Let me go see if I can dig some change out of my car.”

A Stranger's Kindness

I found $14.00. As the pit in my stomach grew bigger and deeper, a cowboy pulled up in his huge pickup truck and horse trailer. I said, “this is so embarrassing, but can I borrow $5?” I explained the story to him and he agreed to help me. I said, “Can I hug you or something?” He gave me his card instead and told me to find him and pay him back.

I can’t remember the last time I had to rely on the kindness of strangers to save my life. All I know is that without that cowboy, I would most likely be in jail right now. There is no doubt in my mind that the Angels, you Pinkies and God were watching over me last night.
 

I had never been happier to see city lights!

A Magical Eyes Experiment

It gave us a Magical idea. What if a bunch of Pinkies sent the Cowboy a note that said, "Thanks for helping my friend Megan out of a bind on February 16. Your generosity means more than you know."? What if a few of us threw in a few bucks to pay him back? How would being acknowledged and rewarded this way make him think about kindness to strangers, or inspire him to pay it forward? If you're moved to participate in this particular Pink Effect experiment, we'll post more information on the Pink Effect page on the Posse Forum.

In the meantime, what about you Pinkies? Can you remember the last time you helped out a stranger? Or relied upon the kindness of one?

And I’m just warming up,

Megan Monique