Unexpected Blessings in the Berm
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
It was an act of random tire explosion, no more, no less.
We had just spent the morning cheering Sydney on at her cross country meet, and were driving home from Buehler’s with a trunk full of groceries and a van full of kids. Mike heard a rattling of sorts, so we hushed the kids and rolled the window down. It sounded like it was coming from the passenger side rear tire. No big deal, so we went on driving.
A moment later we hear a loud bang, as if a large rock had hit the car. My first thought was, “Wow, that will cause a dent.” Then the van began to vibrate and shake as the same tire that had been rattling had apparently exploded and we now had complete flat tire.
Mike carefully slowed down and gently maneuvered the beast to the side of the road into the berm. I am thankful he was the one driving because it was not an easy task, and he did it very well. One problem was that we were just on the start of the bridge over Lake Harmony, and there was maybe a five foot berm area and nowhere else to go.
We parked, and got the kids out of the car since other vehicles were passing by at 60 mph. We just felt that it was safer to be out of the car, on the other side of the railing, behind the car. That way, if someone accidentally hit our van, plunging it over the bridge and into Lake Harmony, we would be safe. (Yes, that is how my brain works).
At that location, the other side of the railing is a tall grass, bug-infested, steeper-than-a-cliff slope. So we stood there balancing on an angle so we did not roll downhill, I ignored the hopping bugs hitting my feet, and we began to make our calls.
AAA, called. Should arrive in 40 minutes or so. It was the “or so” part that had me worried. Next call was to a list of friends who might be able to come and pick up our kids and our groceries as we waited for help to come. Almost nobody seemed to be home, at no fault of their own. Finally, we reached Dawn, who became our hero for sure. She drove out, loaded our kiddos and groceries into her minivan, and chauffeured them home safe and sound.
Then the State Highway Patrol showed up and parked their vehicle, lights flashing, behind our van to protect us from traffic.
I don’t remember that officer’s name, but I do remember how chivalrous he was. What a gentleman. I felt safe the moment he arrived. And when he had to leave, another State Highway Patrolman arrived to take his place. The second officer was a veteran from Afghanistan and Iraq. He made me feel safe and protected, and I could see why our country has been safe for so many years since 9/11 with men like him overseas.
We tend to take our police and patrolmen for granted, I know I do. But no longer. I am now their biggest fan!
It’s funny when life does not go your way and you end up in the berm instead of on the highway speeding by. Sometimes it’s in the berm where you discover the most unexpected blessings.
As if it’s an explosion of random kindness, no more, no less.
Posted by Trish Berg 10:56 AM
Labels: Graphic Publications, The Bargain Hunter, Wooster Weekly News
