ROAD SIGNS It had been a very difficult trip. The week started out with a death in the family that would require my wife, Marianne, to travel to Denver, Colorado alone. I left on Monday and headed out to western Pennsylvania for a scheduled presentation. At the exact time that I was to begin my talk on Tuesday, my wife would be landing at the Pittsburgh airport just 20 miles from where I was but we would not see each other. One hour later she would be off to Denver. We're not good at stuff like this. Yes, we've been apart for a few days, being a professional speaker requires it. But under this stressful situation we were both on edge. The drive back home was even worse. Traffic was terrible and road construction didn't help. I must have had a target on the back of my car, because every aggressive driver on the road that day was behind me. So close, in fact, that I could not see their front bumper in my rearview mirror. I'll admit I was in a hurry, too. But not enough to put anyone's life in jeopardy. My five hour trip was only interrupted long enough for me to drive through a local fast food restaurant. I had just returned to the highway when someone approached my left side in the passing lane. I didn't even want to look. That is, until I saw the car pull up ahead a few yards and then slow down. Then, once again, he did the same thing. Now I thought this was some wise guy taunting me. I was determined not to look, but finally on the third pass I glanced over. In the rear passenger side window I saw a young lady holding a sign hastily scribbled on what appeared to be a napkin or envelope. Much to my surprise and delight it read, "Heartwarmers". In an instant my hectic, challenging, stressful day turned to a little bit of heaven. It wasn't that the passengers recognized me. They saw my license plate, IBLEVNU, and remembered the story of mine that had appeared in a recent Heartwarmers story, "A License to Believe." What were the odds? Checking my email upon arriving home, I found a message from the woman who saw me. It turns out we both needed this chance encounter. Here is what she wrote: Hello there Mr. Perks: I am the one that held up the sign "HEARTWARMERS" today on the Interstate. I just wanted you to know that God must of been working through you again today. Isn't HE wonderful! I mean what were the chances of me noticing your license plate from the backseat. My husband and I were taking my father to the doctor and hospital. Needless to say, I was daydreaming. Whatever made me look your way at that very moment, and then to even notice your plate? WOW! It could not have been coincidental. I have been receiving Heartwarmers for about two years now. My computer has been down for a short time and I deleted a lot of mail but saved all my Heartwarmers and just read the one you wrote about your license plate. Life has been hard for me the last two years or so, but I won't go into details. I try to keep a positive attitude, though lately, I have become very drained and tired. Being a caretaker I know that God keeps fueling us with needed inspiration. Today you were His messenger angel. I just really felt like I got a GREAT BIG HUG. I still can't believe I noticed your plate. I'm not a writer but I hope you can understand what I am saying here. It is not my nature to write such a personal note like this but I had to share with you what I felt today. You certainly made my day a better one! Hope you are enjoying this part of Pennsylvania. May God bless you. Love you too! -- Stephanie The power of Heartwarmers is not only in the stories you share with the world, but in the connection your members have with each other beyond the Internet. All the road signs pointed toward home, including the one that said, "Heartwarmers". .·:*´¨`*:·..·:*´¨`*:·. *: * Richiele * * *·. .·* `*·-:¦:-*´ ³´`*:»§«:*´`³