Today didn't turn out quite like I expected. I wasn't prepared for the blasting cold that greeted me when I let the dogs out this morning. I certainly wasn't prepared for my car to refuse to start this morning.
But there I was at 5:30 this morning. 30 degrees. In the dark. Behind the wheel of a car whose engine attempted, but never fully woke up.
I have a back up plan. Since I live alone, I have two vehicles, and I ran inside to find the key to the other one.
The interior lights didn't even turn on.
As I waited for my friend to pick me up for work, I thought about how, sometimes, even with the appropriate preparations, life doesn't follow the plan. However, I'm not writing to wax poetic about those little twists and turns. I know you get that.
My little silver machine decided to crank this afternoon after the mercury climbed a bit. This meant I got to spend the afternoon at the auto parts store.
I have found the auto parts store to be an interesting place for a woman. I'm usually the only woman in there, and it's not beneath me to pull out the full damsel in distress routine when I'm there.
So I did.
The wonderful man behind the counter tried two different batteries before calling another auto parts store for one that would fit. He replaced my windshield wipers. He charged me cost for the battery from the other store. I smiled through the entire process, trying to find that delicate balance you need to navigate an interaction with a man who can do such things for you.
He told me his life story. Moves. Divorces. Kids. Jobs. I smiled and bantered and dodged his questions about what I like to do for fun.
But at the end of the day, I like watching a man be a man do what he can to help a woman who definitely needs some help. And he played his role perfectly.
So did I, I suppose. Today was a day of opening myself to help from other people. I needed rides to and from work, food, and a little guidance for dealing with my vehicle. A few years ago, I don't think I would have been able to do that without feeling the need show my thanks continuously and profusely. Now, I am just aware that I am surrounded by some amazing, loving people.
Perhaps I can do this vulnerable thing after all.
But there I was at 5:30 this morning. 30 degrees. In the dark. Behind the wheel of a car whose engine attempted, but never fully woke up.
I have a back up plan. Since I live alone, I have two vehicles, and I ran inside to find the key to the other one.
The interior lights didn't even turn on.
As I waited for my friend to pick me up for work, I thought about how, sometimes, even with the appropriate preparations, life doesn't follow the plan. However, I'm not writing to wax poetic about those little twists and turns. I know you get that.
My little silver machine decided to crank this afternoon after the mercury climbed a bit. This meant I got to spend the afternoon at the auto parts store.
I have found the auto parts store to be an interesting place for a woman. I'm usually the only woman in there, and it's not beneath me to pull out the full damsel in distress routine when I'm there.
So I did.
The wonderful man behind the counter tried two different batteries before calling another auto parts store for one that would fit. He replaced my windshield wipers. He charged me cost for the battery from the other store. I smiled through the entire process, trying to find that delicate balance you need to navigate an interaction with a man who can do such things for you.
He told me his life story. Moves. Divorces. Kids. Jobs. I smiled and bantered and dodged his questions about what I like to do for fun.
But at the end of the day, I like watching a man be a man do what he can to help a woman who definitely needs some help. And he played his role perfectly.
So did I, I suppose. Today was a day of opening myself to help from other people. I needed rides to and from work, food, and a little guidance for dealing with my vehicle. A few years ago, I don't think I would have been able to do that without feeling the need show my thanks continuously and profusely. Now, I am just aware that I am surrounded by some amazing, loving people.
Perhaps I can do this vulnerable thing after all.
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