Back-up to The Blowout, part 1: How last week’s installment ended:
As the morning progressed though, Cliff and I wrestled with unspoken questions: Can we still enjoy a leisurely evening and supper, spending overnight in Valdosta? (We had packed suitcases in anticipation.) Is the temporary “fix” on the roof strong enough to hold if the weather turns bad?
Earlier that morning, about 8:00am:
“Click. . . click. . . click” The engine didn’t “catch,” no ignition followed Cliff’s pressing the Start button. When he tried again, the clicking noise sounded even weaker. After a few other futile attempts, we had to conclude we had a dead battery on our hands, a battery that had checked out alive and well just weeks earlier. What to do now? Time was ticking away. It was 8:05 a.m. and we had a 150-mile trip ahead with an 11:15 arrival time targeted. Our Infiniti was definitely NOT going to make it with books and suitcases already packed, ready to go.
“Call Crista!” the thought popped into my mind. Our daughter lives less than a mile away in the same neighborhood. “Maybe we could use her car.” A quick call and three things happened in short order: She came over in her Subaru. Then her husband Joe came over with some real car “medicine,” a portable battery booster.
The booster supplied enough juice to get the battery started, but not enough to get the Infiniti drive-worthy for an out-of-town trip. So, then my query, “Crista, may we use your car for the Valdosta trip?” Fortunately, she agreed.
Back in our garage, minutes ticked by as the Infiniti’s still-weak battery allowed us to pry open our car’s trunk before transferring boxes of books from our car to hers. The morning hadn’t started out well, but with our daughter’s Subaru trunk packed with memoir copies, we were on our way out of Jacksonville until The Blowout happened about an hour into the expedition. (You can read/review last week’s post HERE). An explosion of glass within the moonroof of Crista’s Subaru hobbled out attempts to meet the deadline, but we cruised under the canopy of the Valdosta Country Club venue at exactly 11:08, a tad earlier than we were expected. Whew!
The audience was receptive and inquisitive. They bought books of both titles, Mennonite Daughter and My Checkered Life, all which I autographed. Before 1:00 pm most of the guests had gone, and friend and book-club coordinator Marcia Felts commented, “We may have a storm later on this afternoon. Last week storms came with a tornado.” Uh-oh. A leisurely supper and an over-night stay were out of the question at this point—not with a bandaged roof that would undoubtedly leak in stormy weather. To complicate matters, Cliff had to take pains to cancel a hotel reservation, secured with quality points rather than regular payment.
After pleasant goodbyes, we slid into the Subaru, now with a giant blinking amber alert on the dashboard– Low Gas! We’d seen the warning earlier, but now it was urgent! My app told me a Circle-K gas station was close by and not too far from Interstate 75 for our return home.
At the station, Cliff filled the empty tank, standing on the threshold of the driver’s door trying to pick out shards of glass from the moon roof. In the next bay, a curious driver in a Penske rental truck wondered, “What are you doing?” Cliff gave a short version of what happened, which seemed to satisfy the man, who drove away with gas in his tank and some food orders. Cliff retrieved the gas receipt and got back into the Subaru, hoping to find a Home Depot to buy plywood, tape, and cardboard to cover the hole in the event of bad weather on our journey back home.
Lo, and behold, after a minute or two, the Penske truck driver came back around the pumps, rolled down his window and asked if we still needed help. If so, he had a business that was only about four or five miles down the road. Maybe he could find some duct tape and large construction bags to cover the broken roof. We both agreed that we should follow the Penske truck.
Follow the truck we did, and found other men moving from a business site in town to another location, willing and able to help us. They supplied us with a way more sturdy fix for the Subaru’s roof: a corrugated plasticized sign cut to fit the hole and secured with Gorilla-type duct tape. The men flatly refused payment, so I gifted each of them with a signed copy of one of my memoirs.
What we learned:
- Unexpected challenges pop up in our lives, often when they are least expected.
- With challenges comes help, often from unexpected sources.
Do you have a Good Samaritan story of your own to share?
Details of your own hazardous trip?
Thanks to my husband who supplied some Cliff Notes to enhance the story.
Good morning, Marian! Such kindness from these men. 💙
Has Crista refused ever to lend you her car again? (I’m sure she was relieved you were OK.)
An observation about how full of energy and travel-savvy you and Cliff are.
(“Cliff notes” 🙂)
I’m imagining how those men are telling the story of rescuing a famous author and her husband! But how kind of that truck driver to come back and offer assistance.
Thanks, Merril for your observations. Naturally, Crista was upset at our report, but then she understood that the blowout was not connected to anything we had done wrong–ha!
You mention energy and travel-savvy, but I think we were powered by adrenalin from the ordeal. Later on, we felt like a flat tire! 😀
You’re welcome, Marian! 🙂
You were blessed!
Yes, indeed! Thank you, Jack. 😀
What an adventure–and it wasn’t disastrous! Goes to show that a little level-headedness can go a long way.
Cliff spent many years traveling with his art shows, so he was used to things going awry on the road occasionally. Yes, thank God, Liz, it wasn’t disastrous. ;-D
Now that you mention it, I can imagine Cliff had all kinds of misadventures with his traveling art shows.
You’re right. You may recall the robbery he described in our marriage memoir, My Checkered Life.
Yes, I remember the robbery. I would call that disastrous!
Never underestimate the kindness of strangers: so heartwarming!
I’m glad the story had a kinder side than when we started. Thanks for tuning in, Fatima! 😀
The story had a happy ending. God was watching over you ❤️
Yes, God is always watching over us. Thanks so much, Colleen. 😀
Oh Marian!! What a beautiful story. When you write part 2 of your marriage memoir (or a book on tips for a great marriage), please include it! I’m so glad help was sent! Had to be a result of God’s answer to prayer!
Good idea, L. Marie. However, I’m not up for a full-length book this time, perhaps a chapbook.
I have no doubt this special help was a result’s of our prayers. Thanks for pointing that out, L. Marie. 😀
This is a great story. The kindness of strangers never ceases to amaze me. I have had a number of Good Samaritan stories. A lovely lady named Mercedes helping us with all of our luggage at Madrid train station when there were no trolleys to be had and we were afraid we would miss our train comes to mind. (we had 4 large checked bags and 4 carry on bags, we were moving to Spain!)
You have to wonder if Mercedes was really an angel in disguise.
(Of course she was!)
Thanks, Darlene. 😀
I’m glad the story has a happy ending! I think. 🙂 Did you ever figure out why the sun roof blew up?
Liesbet, Cliff replied in detail to your comment under Elfrieda’s. Thank you! 😀
Together, you and Cliff are a great team, just another example to add to the ones you already shared in your book. Plus the help of family and strangers just passing by. We hear too much about the evil and not enough about the good in the world!
Yes, a scary story with a good ending. I’m glad I could tell it, and I’m so happy you enjoyed reading it too, Elfrieda! 😀
Liesbet, I did a little research on my daughter Crista’s Subaru and some other name kinds of cars with a similar situation:
1) Some mentioned, just driving down the road and “boom” for no apparent reason.
2) Some thought that perhaps a fracture or crack had been created a long or short time earlier to weaken the glass.
3) Some suggested that the framing of the moonroof, being attached to the rigid body of the vehicle vs. somewhat less rigid glass caused the result.
My observation was, when trying to pull out some of the shards of glass, it seemed to me that the moonroof glass was quite thin.
Still, as of now Crista’s dealership is still awaiting delivery of the glass. I read that it took one lady in North Carolina many days to reach someone at her dealership, and then months to get the part and put in her new moonroof!
Marian — Whew! That was a pleasant ending to an extremely scary start.
Yes! Thanks for returning for Part 2, Laurie! 😀
You never know when a stranger will reach out to help. Last year my stepson, who drives a big rig, stopped to help a young lady stuck in snow and ice. “Better to ask forgiveness than permission” he put her in his cab and drove her 50 miles so she could get situated with family. She was safe, warm, and probably had an experience of a lifetime! Against company rules, but he would do it again, he said.
I love this story, and I thank you for sharing it, Ginger.
The young lady probably had qualms about accepting a ride from a stranger, but these were extreme circumstances and your step-son proved to be trust-worthy! 😀
Our Prius has a window on top that we’ve never used. Kind of scared too–especially hearing your experience! A word to the wise …. (But the windows are so cute, eh?) Thanks for the finish and sounds like you had a great weekend. We were in Lancaster this weekend which we enjoyed mucho. 🙂
I believe moonroof window explosions are rare, but you never know–ha!
Lancaster County is beautiful in springtime. The last week of April I visited friends there and also attended a high school class reunion. Maybe we’ll hear about your excursion on your blog soon. Thanks, Melodie! 😀
I’m so grateful for your helpers, Marian. I have so many helper stories from the last 6 months of mysterious illness–soup makers, grocery shoppers, drivers to appointments when I’m feeling foggy headed. I owe lots of favors and kindnesses and hope I get well enough to begin to repay. Mr Roger’s mothers advice to “Look for the helpers” lights the path once again. Congratulations! You made it!
Helpers usually don’t want to be re-paid, at least many of the true ones don’t. You have planted seeds of kindness all your life, so friends and family are happy to help now.
Yes, we made it. Thanks for the cheers here, Elaine! 😀
I remember last week’s post well and now you explain that the Subaru was borrowed; you weren’t even supposed to be driving it! That’s a big twist, Marian. Your daughter must have been shocked to hear of your highway experience. At least, in the end, you got the exact help you needed from some nice people. 🙂 I actually do have a Good Samaritan story. I wrote about it quite some time ago. Maybe I’ll re-blog it as it’s pretty good. Thanks for the exciting ride Marian. I’m glad you’re home.
Yes, we did borrow Crista’s Subaru, but she seemed willing since we were in such dire need at the time. Of course, neither of us expected such an explosive event.
I enjoy your stories–and your storytelling, Melanie. I’ll read whatever you post, especially if it’s a Good Samaritan story. 😀
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I’m so impressed with the multiple ways you and Cliff pivoted, Marian. And Kudos to Crista for loaning out the Subaru. But also, those Penske guys, wow that just shows that acts of kindness are still happening.
Every day we are bombarded with the negative, so when something good happens, I want to report it. Yes, indeed! 😀
I totally agree – I try to avoid the negative as much as possible 🙂
And I meant to say that was quick thinking of you to give the Penske guys your books for payment!
We sensed that they were the “Pay It Forward” kind of guys and refused payment. I was glad I had something unique to give them. They definitely needed some kind of acknowledgement for their extreme kindness. Thank you, Barbara! 😀
Definitely! 🙂
I love good Samaritan stories. I hope karma is good to these men. One time my car broke down (long before cell phones and Ubers). I had to walk along the highway about two miles to get to a gas station to call a tow truck. In the midst of all of the garbage strewn on the side of the road, I spotted a woman’s wallet. I looked inside for identification and found a driver’s license. I was able to track the owner down. She said that only a week earlier someone had broken into their home. The cash and credit cards inside were taken, but she was still relieved to get it back as it held some treasured photos inside.
That shows what kind of guy you are, Pete. In the midst of your own troubles, you took the time to go out of your way to “do the right thing.” That poor woman must have been at her wit’s end, but you provided a ray of hope–sunshine in a storm! I’m guessing you have been rewarded for your kindnesses along the way. 😀
Oye! What an event from start to finish! I think the universe was giving you lots of signs of deterrent but you fought them anyway. Thank goodness for good samaritans! And I hope your daughter wasn’t too freaked out. 🙂 x
Good observations, Debby: Our desire to meet this engagement was far stronger than the deterrents working against it.
Yes, our daughter was freaked out at first, but then calmed down when she realized what happened was a random occurrence, and not our fault at all. I believe she is still waiting for the part to repair the moonroof. Meanwhile, the roof repair is still holding up, but she prefers to drive on clear days–not taking any chances. Ha! ;-D
Lol, what a fiasco. Your determination was boundless though. 🙂 🙂
😀
Your story made my chest expand. There are so many kind people in this world! They are silent angels who have hearts of compassion. This post is a reminder that most of us do, do unto others.” Thank GOODness. 💞
You’ve got the moral of the story in a nutshell, Pam. Thank you! Often the bad gets top billing though. 🙁
😢
Hi Marian, my goodness, what an experience. Thankfully it all turned out well.
How did I miss your kind comment? Thanks for noticing, Robbie!
Years ago, like decades, our car blew a tire on an interstate nowhere near where we lived. Z-D & I started walking toward the nearest exit, miles ahead, and a man in a beat-up sedan stopped to give us a lift. Normally we wouldn’t ride with a stranger, but this was before cell phones and he looked… okay… aside from the empty beer cans in the back seat. He was maybe not the most sober driver, but he was kind and took us to the nearest truck stop. We offered to pay him, but he wouldn’t take the money. Sometimes Good Samaritans don’t look exactly like who you expect them to be. That was the lesson I took away from that experience.
An Unexpected Good Samaritan. Okay! The phrase “He was maybe not the most sober driver” gave me pause, but, hey, you have a happy-ending-story. 😀
Thanks, Ally!
I thought of you when we were in Canada, Marian. We had a mysterious round mark like a stone impression on the windshield of our rental car. We didn’t know how it got there. If a stone had hit the windshield while we were driving, we surely would have known it. Our insurance agent advised us to just return the car without comment. The rental car intake person looked all around the edges of the car looking for damage, found none, signed the form and wished us a good trip. We breathed a sigh of relief, but nothing like the one you must have breathed once your ordeal was over!
I think rental agents are looking for dings and dents on the body of the car. You are fortunate nothing was said about the windshield.
One theory we have about the dramatic incident with Crista’s car moonroof is that a tiny weakness earlier may have deteriorated into the glass exploding. Who knows?
Fortunately, we storyteller have tales to tell. 😀
Hi,
I love your lessons learned. That is also my experience. Jesus never promised us a life without struggles. Instead, he said we would have them but he had already overcome them. There’s a way even through the hardest struggles, we just have to trust in the one who hold the answers to our lives.
Shalom shalom