A few days ago, Dad called me and asked me to stop by their apartment to fix his electric cart.   I was waiting for the Doctor at MD Anderson and usually avoid answering the phone while there.  But when I saw it was Dad, I immediately answered.  “Bill, do you have your ‘Get-Me-Home’ toolbox with you?”  “I always have it with me Dad, what’s up?” “Can you stop by to fix my scooter?  I think the battery plug is not seated correctly.” “I sure will Dad.  I am at MD Anderson right now but as soon as I leave here I will head over there.  I should be there within the hour.”  “Thanks Bill, see you soon.”

After that call, I thought about why I call my small toolbox, which I always have with me, ‘Get-Me-Home’.   When I was young, my cars broke down a lot while driving.  It was usually because I was always experimenting with the engine, trying new things to make it run faster and stronger.  Doing mods like that most times made the car unreliable.  But it was worth it.  Knowing that something I did resulted in being able to drive faster was so satisfying for me.  So I kept a toolbox in my car so I could fix it to ‘get me home’.

When I worked in the shipyards, my boss, Bruce Stapp, knew I could always get where I was going as long as I had a toolbox with me.  I recall one time I showed up for work to find one of the tug boat’s main engines on a trailer which was hooked up to one of the shop trucks.  This truck was good for local driving, but to go long distances, well, that was a gamble.  Bruce says, with a smile, “Guess who is going to Corpus today?”  I pointed to myself. He said , “That’s right.  One of the main engines on the Mary spun a bearing and we need this engine ready to go when the barges are loaded.  Grab your coffee and take off.”  As I walked into the office area to get my coffee, I heard one of the other employees ask, “You think that is a good idea for Billy to take that truck pulling that load?  I am not sure that truck will make it.”  Bruce replied, “He will make it. I put together a toolbox and put it on the truck.  He always gets there and back home as long as he has the tools he needs to keep the truck running.”   I had to smile as I overheard that conversation.

Thinking about that term ‘Get-Me-Home’, we have a book that will get us home when we leave this life; the Bible.  In that book, Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  That is our Get-Me Home.  We just have to believe. 

I was able to fix Dad’s scooter. The battery was not seated correctly.  I took it apart and re-seated the battery.  I also fixed a few things at the apartment while I was there.  I am so glad I was able to help them.