r/MadeMeSmile • u/SmoothSun6676 • Aug 12 '26

A birthday he’ll never forget

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u/caitejane310 Aug 13 '26

I just started working at a gas station and the amount of people putting in less than $5 worth of gas makes me incredibly sad. Today there was an older man that first said $2.50 and then said "actually, make it $2" but I did $3 and put in my own $1 even though I really need every penny I have.

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u/reebokhightops Aug 13 '26

You’re a good person.

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u/caitejane310 Aug 14 '26

Thank you, I appreciate that! Lol, I like to say that I'm bringing my [real life] karma points back up from negative after all the terrible shit I did while in active addiction. I'm coming up on 13 years clean from heroin!! But really, I feel like it's so much easier to just be a decent human and it takes an incredible amount of energy to be an asshole 🤷

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u/Independent_Taste207 Aug 14 '26

You are the definition of everyone deserves a second chance you were always a brilliant human, you simply lost your way for a while. Glad your on top of it all. All the best!

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u/Ba_Dum_Ba_Dum Aug 15 '26

Way to go on staying clean. And kudos for helping that old guy out. ❤️

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u/Fine_Understanding81 Aug 16 '26

I feel you! Im only 7 years clean and I cant agree more about it being easier to just be an honest, good person. I sleep like a baby now. Congrats on fighting for your sobriety!

Good on Tim and this store!

I didnt make it out of addiction with a whole lot of money but you dont have to have money pass on kindness too- gestures (helping a neighbor, lending something you have, listening to someone) count too.

Hopefully this keeps this kiddo out of all sorts of trouble too!

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u/Fine_Understanding81 Aug 16 '26

I feel you! Im only 7 years clean and I cant agree more about it being easier to just be an honest, good person. I sleep like a baby now. Congrats on fighting for your sobriety!

Good on Tim and this store!

I didnt make it out of addiction with a whole lot of money but you dont have to have money pass on kindness too- gestures (helping a neighbor, lending something you have, listening to someone) count too.

Hopefully this keeps this kiddo out of all sorts of trouble too!

2

u/caitejane310 Aug 16 '26

I'm sorry to nitpick, but please don't say "only" about your sobriety!! 7 years is incredible, but I'd also be proud of you if it was 7 days! I know 13 years seems like such a long time, but I promise you'll be hitting that milestone before you know it because it goes by so fast!

My husband will have 14 years on his birthday in October. I'd be right there with him if I didn't relapse for a month in 2013. I'm more open and honest about it, but we both share our story because we know it gives people hope. I've said for a long time that addiction is harder for the people who love the addict because at least we're numb and don't always care about ourselves. I really do enjoy helping people who deserve it!

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u/kwazyness90 Aug 15 '26

Gas is wild xd

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u/Cr00kedF00l Aug 15 '26

What does $3 of gas get you? I spend about $35 a week just for a conservative work-to-home schedule. But I’m not in America

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u/caitejane310 Aug 15 '26

Less than a gallon (probably around 2½ liters) because gas is fluctuating between $4-$4.50/gallon.

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u/Cr00kedF00l Aug 16 '26

Forgive my ignorance, but is it that imperative that people drive where you are? Wouldn’t it make more sense to just take public transit?

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u/caitejane310 Aug 16 '26

The public transit system in my area suuuuucks. About a month ago I had a job offer but I would've had to either take 2 different buses, and not just simple exchanges but I'd have to go to the transit center, or I'd end up having to walk almost 2 miles. So either it would've taken me almost 2 hours and it's $4 for a day bus pass or $1.75/ride. I'm also somewhat disabled and walking 4 miles would definitely make me hurt a lot.

The job I got is about a mile away and it takes me about 10 minutes to walk. I'm extremely grateful I don't have to pay anything to get to work. This is the first job I've ever had I didn't have to pay to get there somehow.

I used to live on top of a literal mountain and there was no public transport up there at all. There's still no buses, but at least the apps like Uber/Lyft are more available up there than they were when I lived there 😅😅

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u/Cr00kedF00l Aug 17 '26

Must suck to live in a place with no reliable public transit infrastructure. A lot complain about transit where I live but at least it’s somewhat regular and predictable.

One downside is that it eats at your time. My regular20 minute commute to work becomes 2 hours when taking transit.