The Day New Brakes Mattered
JOURNAL ENTRY #12
THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2026
Today was the day the GMC was scheduled for a new set of brakes. We had dropped her off just before closing yesterday, knowing she was first in line this morning at 8:30.
Later that morning, we received the call. The rear brakes and rotors were still in good shape, but the front needed to be replaced. After driving her for the past week, I completely agreed.
“Let’s do this.”
By the afternoon, she was ready to come home.
Thankfully, we hadn’t rushed to sell the Dodge yet, so we drove it into town to pick her up. It would have been an easy walk, but the South Carolina heat has been making itself known lately.
After leaving the office, Jim walked me over to the GMC while he climbed into the Dodge. I settled into the driver’s seat, happy to have her back with brand-new front brakes. She felt happy again.
Jim pulled out first, and I followed him toward The Union House of Hogarth.
Then something unexpected happened.
A tiny movement caught my eye.
I came to an abrupt stop.
Fortunately, the GMC had just received those new brakes.
Standing in the road was the most beautiful little creature — a spotted fawn.
She stopped.
I stopped.
And for a moment, time seemed to stand still.
She simply looked at me, and I looked back in complete awe.
I had plenty of time to reach for my camera, but I chose not to. Some moments are too precious to experience through a lens. I wanted to remember this one exactly as it was.
“Where is your mommy?” I softly asked through the open window.
It took everything in me not to step out of the truck and scoop her into my arms.
Instead, I stayed where I was and simply enjoyed her presence.
Jim had already stopped farther ahead before the stop sign, so I knew he had witnessed the encounter too.
Eventually, the little fawn decided it was safe to continue. She crossed in front of me and wandered down the sidewalk along my passenger side, searching for the best way back into the woods. She was definitely not where her mother had intended her to be.
I remained stopped, making sure the road stayed safe while she found her own little path back into the trees.
Only after she disappeared into the woods did I continue driving home.
The rest of the day, I couldn’t stop thinking about her.
Sometimes the greatest gifts aren’t the ones we plan for. Sometimes they’re the quiet moments that remind us to slow down, pay attention, and simply be present.
Today, I was grateful that the GMC had new brakes.
But even more than that, I was grateful to have been there — to help make sure one beautiful little life made it safely across the road.
A beautiful day, indeed.
“Til next time,
LHogarth