Or, brutha’s an’ sistah’s!

Today I went to see my mom for her birthday.

As I was getting ready to pull out of our driveway, my wife, over by my window to tell me something, looked curiously at my left front tire. But when I asked her about it she was noncommittal. She doesn’t usually look like that, but she didn’t say anything more, so I pulled out.

I had traveled through a few cities when I heard a chime. My car dash display had a warning light on it. She would later remark that I should have immediately stopped at the first town I reached and get it checked out, but to me, it was a minor glitch, and I could see to it when I got home.

I arrived at my mom’s, and checked the tire, having added some air at a gas station. It looked fine, but the warning light was still illuminated. We got in my car and drove to the restaurant. I wouldn’t have driven her on the freeway under the circumstances, but this was just a couple miles on city streets.

We enjoyed our meal, but the place was full of people, and I was looking forward to visiting with her more at her house, prior to driving home, but when we got back, my tire was flat.

I got a little agitated, thinking we didn’t have roadside assistance (we did and do), but I called the service and they arrived in about 10 minutes. My mom’s housemate was stunned that on a Saturday, they got there so quickly.

I felt blessed. The guys got me to the tire shop so I could get the thing patched (the tire was otherwise in good shape), and they did great work for a reasonable price.

My mom and her housemate, the guys from AAA, and all the guys at the tire shop, were awesome. People I knew and complete strangers both, were all helpful and friendly.

When I saw the tire, realized I was not going to be able to go to my usual shop, and couldn’t get the spare on myself (which I’ve done in the past), everyone pitched in and got me home.

There were a lot of amazing elements that I won’t go into that took me from feeling in a bind, to knowing God has my back, and how grateful I am for His love and help.