Pretending Not to Notice

It started with me straining a muscle in my back when I was trying to start my car this morning at the gas station. The ignition was locked up. Again. I spent 30 frustrating minutes jerking and banging on the steering wheel trying to get the key to turn. I watched at least 10 people walk into the store and out again, as they glanced briefly at me. I could see some wonder if they should stop and then choose not to. I saw even more look but decide they were too busy to help a strange woman at 8 in the morning. Places to go, things to do. I could read it in their eyes.

Finally, two men driving a tow truck, pulled up and after hesitating only slightly, asked if I needed help. Yes, I did. After a brief few minutes, I was overwhelmed with gratitude towards the man with the jacket “Grand Ridge Champion” emblazoned on his back. I was happy this champion came my way. It had been 30 minutes of sitting in the cold rain with a window that doesn’t roll all the way up, getting wet, feeling chilled. I wonder now if he was conditioned to help because his job as a tow truck driver put him in the way of people needing assistance all day long or if he was drawn to his job because of an innate need to help. Either way, I could have hugged and kissed him on the spot. I resisted because it was obvious even my words of thanks overwhelmed him. And would have probably been overkill on my part.

“thank you, thank you, thank you”

In a day filled with a series of odd events; hearing news that angered me, a job interview, a friend’s broken heart, my dad’s truck battery dying and my picking him up and a voice mail that made me happy, I feel content.

I’m grateful to strangers that help others on a cold rainy day when it would be easier to pretend not to see. I’m grateful for the love of friends. I’m grateful for the realization that all I’ve been through and all I’m going through is only temporary. I’m grateful for the serenity I feel – to knowing that somehow I’m protected and someday all will be well.