Compassion

This post isn't actually about Elk Lake, it's about getting to Elk Lake.  I was down state at my sister's in Battle Creek.  Yesterday I was travelling on 37 N on my way back up to the lake.  I suddenly heard a noise like I ran over something and it hit the bottom of the car.  I looked in my rearview mirror and didn't see anything, so I kept going.  The car was not acting right, and the driving was feeling a bit "squishy".  I pulled over onto a side road, stopped the car and got out to look.  I had a flat tire on the passenger's rear side.

Well, I pulled out my little overnight bag, and pulled up the bottom of the trunk.  I got out the donut tire and the jack.  Then I looked for the tire iron.  It was no where in sight.  I looked all through the trunk and it did not magically appear.  Hmmph!  I sat down, called my sister.  She said she knew a towing service that could come out and change the tire, but it would be a bit of a wait. 

I got out a book to read while I was waiting.  Lo and behold, a good Samaritan stopped and said he could help change the tire.  I explained that a tow truck was on the way.  He said, "Don't do that, it'll cost you money."  So I called my sister back and told her to cancel the truck.  The man used his jack and tire iron that happened to fit my car.  He had the tire changed and the donut on within 10 minutes.  I thanked him, and want to thank him again for his kindness.  I pray that his kindness to me comes back to him when he needs it.

So I continued north on 37 to Hastings where this gentleman told me there was a place that worked on tires.  I GPS'd tire places in Hastings when I got there and went to the one with 5 stars.  I drove in and walked in.  The girl behind the desk was on the phone and didn't acknowledge that I even stepped into the shop.  I patiently waited for her to finish her phone call.  I told her the situation - that I had a flat tire that needed repaired, or to buy a new tire so that I could continue my drive home.  It was about 12:20.  She said all her guys were at lunch.  I asked what time they returned.  She said 1:00.  I then asked if they could take a look at the tire then.  She told me that she didn't know because they already had two appointments at 1:00.  Since I was receiving no compassion for my plight, just a 'too bad for you' attitude, I walked out.

I then called Tires 'n' Such.  They said they could get me in right a way.  I GPSed it and drove to the shop.  It was nothing to look at, in fact, I do believe I heard banjos playing.  However, I was taught, don't judge a book by its cover.  I walked in and the man behind the counter old me to drive my car around to the back.  The young man met me and immediately fixed my tire, and put air in my donut tire. The tire was plugged and back on my car within 15 minutes,  He was friendly and efficient.  Thanks to Tires 'n' Such for helping out someone who was in a pickle.

I appreciate the compassion for a traveler who had car trouble.