One day, my mother-in-law decided to go to the bank.
Her gut told her, “No, don’t go today. Go tomorrow.”
She scoffed at her fears. What harm could come to a little old lady on a beautiful sunny day in a safe neighbourhood?
She donned her coat, put her purse over her arm, and set out at a brisk pace up the broad street. Strangers smiled at her. She stopped to say “Hello” to the neighbours and make friends with the newest kids on the block. My mom-in-law loved children. The friendly tellers paid her bills one-by-one and gave her cash in her specific denominations. You know how old people are about their money.
But still, her gut nagged at her.
Almost home, she got tired and walked a little slower.
Suddenly, a man ran up from behind her, brutally snatched her purse from her arm, and vanished.
She screamed and screamed.
Neighbours came running to help and comfort her. The police were called.
“How much money did they get, ma’am?” the nice young officer asked.
My mom-in-law stood stock still on the sidewalk. Then she laughed and laughed. The poor officer thought she’d been made hysterical by the violence done her.
Finally my mom-in-law pulled herself together.
“My gut warned me, so I put my money in my pocket. All the man got was an empty purse with a handkerchief in it!”
Has your gut talked to you? Did you listen?
© Joan Leacott 2012
Absolutely – our instinct/gut/heart knows so much more than we realize. Yes, yes, yes, we must always listen. And I applaud your mother-in-law’s sense of humor!
Yeah, she always chortled how a little old lady outsmarted a petty theft. Though she regretted the loss of her purse.
Your poor mother in law. thank heavens she listened to her gut. I’m getting better at this. I had to drive across town this morning to a meeting and the traffic was slow and the weather was ugly. and I wanted to fret that I’d be late, but my gut said I’d make it. I decided not to panic and lo and behold, I was on time. They even gave the group a short break so I could catch my breath. amazing what happens when i listen to my gut.
Good on your for listening! So what makes a gut so smart, Louise? Are why do we insist that we know better?
I’m all for listening to the gut, especially when the gut want’s Thai food!
I pity the fool who takes my purse. Used lipstick, stale gum, prescription sunglasses, LOL. Do you feel lucky, punk? Well, do ya?
Mmm… Thai food. And what a great opening scene! Who needs a man when you have a loaded purse?
OMG! Your poor MIL 🙁
How awful!
I’m a big believer is listening to my gut. I’d like to think its worked as I haven’t had anything too awful happen to me 🙂
Xx
I’ve been convinced of the power of intuition since I listened to my gut and stayed against the wall in the subway. For some reason, I was absolutely terrified and deeply suspicious of the people around me. As soon as the train came in, the fear went away. I hate to think what I avoided.
Oooooo, that is creepy honey *gulp*
Xx
It was truly a wig-out moment. And will someday go in a book. 🙂
I’ve never experienced 🙂
K-
Oh, Joan – the times I haven’t listened to my gut, I have regretted it! I’ve experienced anything as scary as your MIL’s situation, but I have certainly faced disappointment (wedding flowers) and other negative emotions. I’m a HUGE believer in listening to your gut!
K-
Regrets are definitely rough justice for not listening. It’s kinda cool how, though she had a bad time at the beginning, this was one of her favorite stories to tell because she had listened to her gut.