Time was running short and rain was pouring down. I had one available shopping day before my hard-won, garden center bonus bucks were set to expire. There was only one thing to do–get in the car and go. After all, bonus bucks don’t come along every day.
Lightening flashes illuminated the route to the excellent, high-end garden center where I spent a small fortune back in May, earning twenty-six dollars worth of bonus bucks. I arrived in one piece, but it was obvious–even to me–that the lightening would keep me away from the outdoor plant display area. My bonus bucks and I were restricted to the vast indoor showroom and greenhouse. Foliage plants, even dramatic ones, don’t interest me. I was willing to supplement my twenty-six bonus bucks with a few extra dollars, but I wasn’t ready to blow through the next three months’ garden budget. My options were limited.
Finally after roaming the aisles for twenty minutes I saw the gardeners’ Holy Grail–a pair of Felco #2 pruners. I have gardened for years, but always chose pricey plants over even pricier pruners. This time, however, was different. I grabbed the Felcos and headed for the check-out, brandishing the bonus bucks while prying my credit card out of my wallet. The deed was done in an instant.
By the time I got home, the storm was over. I couldn’t stop glancing at my shining Felco’s. The message was clear–I was fated to have them. All it took was lightening bolts and bonus bucks.