When I drive my mind wonders. While I was behind the steering wheel today I started reminiscing about a crazy event that happened a few summers ago…

The radio was blaring Mix 106 while I cleaned up my dad's glass shop. A contest was occurring on the station that if you were a certain caller you could win a key that potentially unlocked a van loaded with up to $100,000. It happened to be the last day of the contest.

It was a point in my life where I could've used some extra dough so I decided to give it a chance. I actually prayed to God that if he wanted me to have the money he would grant favor. So anxiously I called the station to find out the number and waited for my moment.

They were awarding caller number five so I knew I had to jump on the phone quickly if I ever stood a chance. The moment I heard the special sound I immediately called and instead of that dreaded busy signal it was ringing! I dialed so quickly I feared I was probably the first caller and this whole endeavor was over, but to my luck the jockey said he was going to take the first caller! And guess who the first one?

So many random things came into that moment that I knew that money was going to be in my pockets in no time. First I never listen to Mix 106. I just happened to put it on that day. Second I called in to get the number for the station when moments later the contest came over the airwaves. Also it was the last day of the contest and instead of taking caller five they took caller one, which never happened. Not to mention that I prayed to the Lord before all of this unfolded. So I was expecting a summer miracle.

That weekend we pulled up beside the bank where the contest was happening. It felt like the sun was pounding its blazing fists into us as hard as it could while I stood out in the parking lot with no shade. I was ready, however, to endure the rays to claim my appointed prize.

After about two hours of people piling in the contest finally came underway. You were to grab a key out of a bucket and if it unlocked the van, you then had five minutes to pilfer through bags and select the one that you thought had the $100,000. All the other bags contained $5,000.

There were about 50 people in front of me so I began to lose heart that my turn was ever going to come about. But surely enough one by one people were picking the wrong keys and before I knew it was my turn to sort through the bucket.

With my hearting beating in my throat I nervously moved my hands through the keys, just knowing that somehow I was going to locate the right one. I grabbed my key, looked at Samantha, and stuck my key in the lock, waiting to hear the click of it unlocking. Slowly I turned the key knowing that financial peace had know come to my door. This was my time to shine. So I turned the key in the lock…

And nothing happened.

All of the events that fell into place, the praying and the anticipation welled up to nothing. A lady about 20 people behind nabbed the right key and won $5,000.

Needless to say I was little disheartened.

But in the end I got some free hot dogs and soda! I'm ever the optimist. At least I have a neat story to tell.