Have you ever taken a day trip that gave you quite the unexpected surprise? We did years ago. Most people probably wouldn’t have appreciated our experience the way I did, but I have a quirky way of enjoying things.

Our trip started out innocently enough. We were traveling to Tim’s family reunion in Churchill, which is located in the northeast corner of the state. Some of the roads had been reworked since our last visit, so we were following another relative.

About an hour into the drive, we took a turn. The moment we did, I felt uncomfortable. Nothing along our drive felt familiar to me. If you have read any of my stories or articles, you know I do not like that feeling. At all.

Even Tim began to feel unsure of where we were headed. “I don’t know what else to do, but to keep following. I have no idea how to get to Churchill from here.”

Tim’s comment sounded like something my momma likes to say when she asks for directions: “Can we get there from here?”

But this time I didn’t find it funny.

I know what you’re thinking: “Didn’t you have GPS in your car or on your phone?” This was around the year 2000, so no, we didn’t have any of those wonderful conveniences yet. We didn’t even have a cell phone with us.

Nonetheless, we continued on our fateful track. After several more miles, we drove by the “Welcome to Virginia” sign. Yep, we had traveled too far north instead of heading east.
Tim’s relative pulled off at flea market that was set up at the side of the road. Of course we stopped behind him. At first, I felt relieved. Then I heard, “Momma, there’s a strange man looking into our car.”

Tim tensed up. “The doors are locked. Just don’t pay him any attention. We’ll be leaving in a few minutes.”

I turned around and looked. That was it for me.

“Can you believe it? We found Elvis at a flea market in Virginia. We need to call the newspapers or a TV station.”

Sara went from scared to confused? “Huh?”

Tim turned and looked at him. Then he shook his head “Only you.”

“Only me? Have you taken a good look at him?”

This peeping Elvis was middle aged. He sported a white T-shirt with jeans that were rolled up on the bottom. His side burns were very long. And he had very, very black hair that was styled as Elvis used to wear it in his movies from the 1950s and 60s. I know this for a fact because my mother was an Elvis fan. She still is. Every time his movies aired on TV, we had to watch them.

I still remember when his concert, “Aloha from Hawaii,” was broadcasted via a communication satellite in 1973. My mother was so excited. And of course, we had to watch it. Nobody was allowed to talk while he was singing.

By the way, using a communication satellite was a big deal at that time.

I don’t think you could have looked at this man and not thought of Elvis Presley. Obviously, that is what he wanted.

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 (KJV)

Who do you want to emulate? Who do you want people to think of when they are around you? Is it a celebrity or family member? Maybe it’s a historical figure. What about Christ? If you’re a Believer, do others see Him in you? It’s something to consider

As we drove off, Sara and Tim were relieved to be away from the peeping Elvis. As for me, I was thankful he didn’t whip out a guitar and have his own little concert, “Howdy from Virginia.”