It had to be on the closet shelf for a couple of years. It was one of the things Mom thought I’d like but was normally buried under other clothes I didn’t wear. It was only later I thought to question its appearance on top of the pile. Hummm, I mused as I lifted it down, the color blue making me think I should wear it today. I hesitated slightly when reading the large white block letters on the front: KEEP CALM AND LET GOD HANDLE IT. Normally I would have returned it to its pile on the shelf but today I had a very strong feeling I should wear it and put it on. Little did I know then how important a little thing like wearing a T-shirt would be!
The day was beautiful and I was happy to get an earlier start than planned. Except for the occasional discomfort of my knee in traffic, it was a beautiful drive ....until Florence, South Carolina. After stopping for gas at the previous exit I noticed a shimmy in my steering. Already back on the interstate, I turned on my flashers and rode the shoulder to the next exit which was Florence. Realizing it was Sunday and Mothers’ Day to boot, I didn’t figure on being able to find mechanical help...but on pulling into a gas station/convenience store, I decided to try. What else could I do? The fellow behind the counter directed me to another young man he thought could help. That’s when I first began to realize the power of the shirt.
Now I’m probably one of the last people to recognize God’s plan.... and part of it is still a mystery to me....but I figure He had a reason for all those people to cross my path...and read my shirt. That young man, when I explained I thought something was wrong with one of my tires, offered to come and take a look. When we reached the car, I simply handed him my keys. “Do you want me to drive it around the parking lot?” he asked in surprise.
“Sure,” I responded. “How else will you know?” Well, he found the problem. It was a swelling of one of the steel belts of my front passenger tire. We then returned to the store where he proceeded to make phone calls, trying to find an open garage. The 2nd Walmart he called said they were open until 7:00 pm. He wrote the directions down for me, I thanked him and I was on my way....hoping I’d make it in time. I didn’t. When I arrived, the garage was closed and I parked in the middle of the lot while trying to decide what to do.
My first thought was to call Margie and explain why I wouldn’t be arriving in Philadelphia at my planned time. “What are you going to do?” she asked, concern in her voice. “Well,” I answered. “It’s a 24 hour Walmart so I may just spend the night here and wait for the garage to open in the morning.”
It was after that conversation I decided to call AAA. I did. Though for the life of me, I don’t know why. I figured the spare was a donut and I wouldn’t feel comfortable driving with it for any distance. I thought about cancelling that call but couldn’t bring myself to do it. It wasn’t much later when Walter arrived. Walter is one of God’s darker angels, probably somewhere between 60-70 years of age with a few teeth missing in his smile. “I was thinking of staying here and wait for the garage to open.” I informed him.
“Oh, I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he replied. “There’s a rough crowd hangs out here at night, stealing cars etc. You wouldn’t be safe.”
With that in mind, he assessed the situation. We talked of possibilities until he suggested he exchange the front and rear tires. That way I wouldn’t feel the vibration.
“Will the tire last me?” I asked, trustingly?
“Oh, yes,” he replied. “I’m sure it will. There’s less weight on it in the rear than in the front.” When he finished, I called him one of God’s angels, gave him a thankful hug and found my way back to the interstate.
I admit to hearing a vibration in that rear tire and still believed it would hold together as Walter had said. Walter and I were both wrong! I hadn’t been on the road for an hour when the tire blew. What a racket! The steel belts had come loose and done damage to my bumper as well as knocking my taillight out. The interesting thing about the tail light was it was still blinking, though on the ground. At least it still worked and I managed to secure it enough with painters’ tape to keep it from falling out. I later found myself very grateful to Walter for changing the tires as it would have been a lot more dangerous for me...and probably more serious damage... if the blowout had happened with a front wheel.
I must have called AAA three or four times before I finally got a person I could talk to without being put on hold forever. It was a bit confusing for them too as they thought it was still part of my first call. This time I knew I’d need a tow truck and they needed to find me a drop off place where I could stay with the car, would be safe and would receive good and prompt service. Lisa was her name and she promised to do exactly that...as well as promising not to put me on hold.
By this time, the state trooper I’d requested for security, saying he had more important things to do, told me he was leaving. So here I was....sitting alone on the side of a very busy road, with cars and trucks whizzing past at 80 mph plus, in the dead of night. I was more than grateful when my friend called and said she’d stay with me until the tow truck came.
Interestingly enough, along about midnight I saw headlights behind me. My hope almost turned to despair when the truck passed me, picked up speed and threatened to drive away. In desperation, I turned on my lights and flicked my high beams. Thank God, I got his attention and he backed up. When he came to the window the conversation went something like this:
“Im sorry. I was looking for a grey Kia Rondo”
“This is a grey Kia Rondo”
“I’m looking for Constance Townsend”
“You found her.”
“Well, Ok then! Let’s get you hooked up.” Then he added, “I’d appreciate it if you’d get in the truck.”
Everything was fine up until that last statement but with last words of encouragement from my friend before she hung up, telling me my knee would be fine, I was determined to try. The sad fact is it wasn’t my knee I was worried about. However, I did give it “the old college try”...and failed. My legs simply wouldn’t lift me up. He watched me try and I noticed he was trying to figure out what to do with his hands. Realizing he was hesitant to touch me I assured him, “I am 72 years old. Do what you have to do and it’ll be fine.”
“Well,” he replied, “I can lift you onto the seat but I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Am I not too heavy?” I asked, concerned for him.
“Oh, no! I can do it.” He then grabbed my legs and lifted....
“Not quite high enough,” I told him. “Grab a little lower.”
That time we made it and I was securely in the seat.
When he returned to the truck, I jokingly held out my hand and said, “Since you’ve literally swept me off my feet, we should introduce ourselves. My name is Connie.”
“I’m William.”
The ride to the place Lisa of AAA had chosen was in some little town at the end of a lonely, long country road and his GPS landed us in the parking lot of a motel. “Well, William,” I quipped. “I can’t say much for this particular date.” as we both entered the motel office to ask the number of the property. I will say I don’t think the owner was too happy about being awakened when there was no prospect of business. When William walked up the street to investigate further, I returned to the motel office to ask to use the facilities. The man’s unhappiness was apparent when he told me to get out and use the street. Did I mention he had noticed and read my shirt?
In the meantime, William returned and informed me the tire place was just up the street. I thought about getting back in the truck and elected to walk to our destination. When he asked me if I was sure, we both had a good laugh.
I watched as he carefully unloaded and parked the car. Realizing he had to leave me but not really wanting him to, I gave him a grateful hug, assured him I’d be all right and watched him drive away. It wasn’t long after, suddenly appreciative of the quietness of the little town, I was safely and comfortably sound asleep in my car.
I think it was probably the increase of traffic noise which woke me...and just in time to see a white pick-up pull in and park by the door. “Are you the owner?” I asked.
“Yes,” he replied.
“Well, I seem to have a little tire problem.”
“Be happy to take care of it for you. My crew will be here in about a half hour.”
“Great! Do you mind if I use your rest room?” (By this time I was close to bursting!)
“No, not at all. Come on in. It’s straight ahead on your right.”
Feeling relieved and slightly refreshed, I asked where I might be able to get a cup of coffee.
“Just up the street on your left,” he directed.
I knew my knee wasn’t going to appreciate the walk but at that point in time a cup of coffee was of absolute necessity.
It wasn’t long after his crew arrived and I watched them move my car into the bay, I received a text message from my friend, “Good morning to you. In meditation, I heard you need two tires. Have other tires checked please.”
God had been with me up to now so who was I to doubt my friend’s message? I approached the owner and requested he check the other tires as well. We walked together under the car while he pointed out the wear on each tire. Apologetically, he suggested I purchase new tires for all four wheels. I knew his caring was sincere and didn’t hesitate to give him the go-ahead, trusting he was doing his best for me. The other thing he was concerned about was securing my bumper. I assured him the two screws he was suggesting were fine with me. “Whatever works is my motto,” I assured him. “Do what you think is best. I’m more concerned about function than looks.”
A little later he came out and sat with me in the waiting area. “You know,” he began, “about 5:00 this morning I saw your car in my parking lot and walked around it with my flashlight. I saw you sleeping and hope I didn’t wake you.”
“No, you didn’t wake me,” I laughed but was grateful for his concern.
“I have a friend who has a junkyard up in Dillon.” he continued. “I could give him a call to see if he has a tail light for you. It wouldn’t delay you much more as it’s on your way.”
I thanked him and told him to go ahead and ask. I figured he didn’t have to go that extra step and I was grateful for his concern. It turned out his friend didn’t have a tail light but I had no doubt God was continuing to handle things.
Not long after, $397 poorer, I was back on the road with two screws in my bumper and clear tape securely and neatly holding my tail light in place. But what a difference those tires made!! My ride was so much smoother and there was no nagging worry about possible faulty tires. Many times since, I’ve been grateful for those tires, especially in navigating pot holes and construction sites.
I couldn’t help but smile at the sequence of events as I saw God’s hand in every aspect of my adventure with my timely arrival in Philadelphia the final surprise. I do believe those who read the words on my shirt and acted as God’s angels along my way, were called to be the best they could be....except for the motel manager of course....
So, my friends....good advice, "Keep Calm and let God Handle It!"
God Bless!
