Sunday, April 08, 2007

ALTRUISM

Kindness is not dead. Though we live in a world of nuclear capabilities and sailors are captured and nation-states posture at the drop of a hat and every time one looks at the news, one sees yet another story of sucide bombers at an Iraqi marketplace, kindness is not dead.
Though our great country is "led" by an ignorant chimpanzee and his vitriolic henchmen and -women, kindness is still sometimes apparent, albeit as unforeseen as a rose poking out of the cracked cement of a grafitti-besmirched metropolis.

Though the weather outside, here in Michigan, matches the tone and/or the future of the country--bleak and gray and cold, heartless--sometimes one is surprised by the kindness of strangers.

Random acts of kindness--pass them on.

I was driving down the highway, yesterday, after a meeting, and I was tooling along at my usual 80-miles-per-hour clip and, suddenly, my car went "Ka-LUNK! LUNK!"

I asked Wendy what the hell was that and she said that she didn't know and I continued on for about 50 feet until it was undeniably apparent that I'd hit something in the road and blown my front right tire. I was two lanes over from the right shoulder and there was little traffic, so, luckily, it was somewhat easy to slap on the hazard lights and angle over to the safe-zone. I got over to the slow lane and pulled onto the shoulder, just underneath the viaduct. I cut no one off, though some fucking tool felt it was his or her obligation to lay on the horn as he or she passed at 75 miles-per-hour.

Wendy said, "Oh, Adam."

I said that I guessed I'd hit something and I got out, careful to look in the side mirror before I did. (The day was turning to night and the roads were slick and it is a holiday weekend and I knew that some imbibers could be on the road...safety first, kids.) I got out and ambled over to the passenger side of the car. The front right tire was shredded. Whatever I had hit had done its damage posthaste, and with an evil gleam in its eye.

I shrugged. Time to brush up on my tire-changing skillz. No biggie.

I wandered to the back of the Focus and popped the trunk. Listen: I just moved. That's my excuse, see? My trunk was (and is) filled with all sorts of shit. Just...shit. Basketballs, Frisbees, empty windshield wiper fluid bottles, slingshots, a bike helmet, firewood, a racketball racket, a half-full bottle of Armor-All...a spare tire (thank God) but no tire iron (help me, God).

I was fucked.

To make matters worse, Wendy and I were anxious to get home to play some checkers and she had only a limited amount of time...and but yet. I had no tire iron. I looked blankly at the wheel and internally cursed myself for misplacing said tire iron.

With all the shit from the trunk scattered on the shoulder behind the car (I wanted to make it perfectly apparent to all motorists to slow the fuck down and drive with caution.) I climbed into the car and began to scrummage through the glove compartment for a phone number that I could call. I have roadside assistance through my insurance carrier and then was as good a time as any to put them to the test. Problem was, I was wholly unorganized. The only phone number that I could find was a number that would connect me to the payments department. I called that, assuming that they could direct me to where I had to go.

Having no policy number available to give to them, the process bogged down and, ten minutes later, I was still on hold (high call volume), waiting for them to patch me through.

As I waited on the phone, I glanced in my rearview mirror and I saw a Jeep Cherokee slowing down behind me on the shoulder, its hazard lights flashing. I stayed on the phone for a beat longer and, seeing the man climbing out of the driver's side door, snapped the phone shut.

I scanned the highway for safety and got out and walked over to the guy.

It turned out that the guy's name was Shannon and he and his girlfriend had been driving from Waterford (like us) down I-75 to around 10 Mile and Stephenson (like us). It turned out that he'd grown up right across the street from where I have played Frisbee golf my whole life and it also turned out that he is a master mechanic. They'd driven past us and taken an exit ramp a mile or two down the road and had circled back to see if they could help. (By the way, all that shit in the trunk? It had helped. The guy had seen it scattered behind the car and said to his girlfriend that it looked like we needed some help. We did.)

He had only a tire iron designed specifically for Jeeps but--amazing--it turned out that it fit perfectly on my Ford Focus's nuts. The guy was like a NASCAR pit crew chief. Wham-bam-boom--the shredded tire was changed and the slightly-flat doughnut was in its place.

I offered him money; I had to. I know that, when I help someone, the simple act of kindness is good enough for me (all those good brain chemicals!), but I still had to at least offer the guy some kaish.

He wouldn't hear of it. Was almost offended that I had offered. "Pay it forward," he said. "I'm not a Jesus freak--but I do believe in Him and God--"

"So do I," I said.

"--and good things happen to good people. Just pay it forward. You ever see that movie? My girl and I just saw it last weekend."

I admitted that I had not--little Haley Joel kinda makes my skin crawl, for some reason...though Helen Hunt turns me on, for some reason--but I told Shannon that I was familiar with it. "I know," I said, "this world needs a hell of a lot more kindness. How about a good handshake, then?" I asked, feeling like a tool.
We shook hands and he and his girlfriend took off and Wendy and I were on our way. Total time on the shoulder: 20 minutes.

I had never lost my cool; I'd never started swearing and throwing things. It'd been what it'd been. A flat tire. Nothing to get bent out of shape about. Shit happens. And it's good to see that good people are still out there and are willing to help.

Next purchase? A tire iron.

16 comments:

Unknown said...

Dont you love those random acts of kindness...they happen way too rarely.

Dont forget to pass on the good karma :-)

Have a happy easter today!

Adamity73 said...

I do love them and I will pass it on when the opportunity arises. Hope you had a nice Easter, too. =-)

Anonymous said...

Glad you were safe during that ordeal. And yes, pay it forward. I believe in such acts of random kindness myself. Ironically, a similar incident happened to me. I was alone, it dark but rush hour, freezing out. A car stopped behind me (I was a bit nervous as I was alone). But the man turned out to be awesome and lived relatively close to me. He said that he just hoped if his sis or wife were stranded someone would help them. SO he changed my dumb tire and then as I started to leave - ta da the battery was dead. He tried to jump start it but he had a funky battery that we couldnt reach. He wouldnt leave me till the AAA guy came. Made me sit in his warm car while he stayed outside. Such a sweetie. He wouldnt take anything either, though I stopped by his house a few days later with a gift basket and a flash light (neither of us had one). The nice people of the world RULE! Happy Easter Adam.

Adamity73 said...

Great story, Terry. I reckon that points out that chivalry isn't dead, either. That was great that he waited. And the flashlight? Nice touch, Ms. Ter. =O)

Hope you had a good Easter.

Nanette said...

Excellent!!!

Clone that kind stranger immediately.

What the world needs now, is love, sweet love. That's the one thing, that there's just too little of.

I'll stop singing now. :)

And, watch pay it forward (even if you have to keep your finger on the ff).

Adamity73 said...

It's good, is it, Nighthawk Tulip? Haley Joel just kinda bugs me, but I have heard a lot of good stuff about the movie...I guess I'll give it a shot. For it is far better to have tried and lost, er, for it is far better to have viewed and puked...ah, fuck it. I gotta go to work.

BTW, you have a lovely singing voice. As I was "listening" to you warble, I could see, in my mind, cute little forest animals gathering and swaying, kinda like in "Snow White." =o)

Melissa said...

I'm glad to hear you didn't lose your cool - things like flat tires are a pain in the ass, but they're going to happen anyway. No sense making the experience any more unpleasant than it needs to be.

Very nice of that guy to stop and lend a hand (er, tire iron).

Anonymous said...

"What the world needs now, is love, sweet love."

hehe
Nan, when I first heard that song many years ago, I thought the words were "What the world needs now, is Duh, sweet Duh." Always thought it was the silliest song. :)

Anonymous said...

now that is just the nicest story. I love it when that kind of thing happens. Never ceases to amaze me how things work themselves out. I am ALMOST to the point where I am ALMOST successful at not-worrying.

Hope to see you soon, Adam! End of May, beginning of June.

Adamity73 said...

@ Melmac--True enough. Far better to keep the blood pressure...er, pressurized.

@ Terry--It's still a silly song. ;-)

@ ALEXIS, DEAR ALEXIS!!!--GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU! I TOO LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR SMILING FACE IN MAY! CAN'T WAIT, ACTUALLY.

okayi'llstopshouting

Anonymous said...

QtnYuz [url=http://www.bootsmany.com/]ugg アグ[/url] JajKnn http://www.bootsmany.com/ UckSax [url=http://www.bootsnewjp.com/]アグ ムートンブーツ[/url] FsiQsi http://www.bootsnewjp.com/ KrhJwa [url=http://www.bootsbestjp.com/]アグ ブーツ[/url] UduXdf http://www.bootsbestjp.com/ QyvBag[url=http://www.yasuibu-tsu.com/]ugg[/url] LguEad http://www.yasuibu-tsu.com/ NbwDqk [url=http://www.yoibu-tsu.com/]ugg アグ ブーツ[/url] EioYhf http://www.yoibu-tsu.com/ CjyYvd [url=http://www.bootsjpsales.com/]アグ[/url] YzaCvq http://www.bootsjpsales.com/ AudNrg

Anonymous said...

En outre, Stencil Firetrap T-shirt, etc Firetrap Hepburn, est en fait à ce jour en ce qui concerne. Tous ces vêtements à la mode de nombreuses sont généralement assez utile avec bon sens. une boutique de vêtements supplémentaires plus fiable est généralement Gio-Goi se rapportant à des hommes.
ugg seulement 3 enfants seulement joué au basket
Par conséquent, il est fondamental de choisir l'une des plus meilleurs classiques ultra hautes bottes UGG parmi les types de formes et de couleurs. Mais il doit y avoir ugg ugg pas cher australia pas cher seulement un élément solitaire pendant que, sous réserve de considérer que les chaussures doivent sans aucun doute aller avec tout ce que vous portez, qui pourrait être de dire l'une des chaussures les plus dépendront meilleurs dans l'une des vêtements les plus meilleurs. Like more Harmony pourrait être le plus probablement l'une des plus importantes..
Ils sont très chaleureux et détendu que vous pouvez habiller en eux même dans le climat plus froid. Vous pouvez rapidement les transporter et vous pouvez sortir en mettant sur eux dans le froid. En outre, vos pieds restent également de protection et sous abri en les enfiler.

Anonymous said...

JitXke [url=http://ukbootshopon.com/]ugg boots clearance[/url] GpuUzu http://ukbootshopon.com/

Anonymous said...

eyhngc [url=http://canada-goose-sales.ca]Canada Goose Sale[/url] wvbmnx http://canada-goose-sales.ca bwyggp [url=http://canadagooseoutletss.com]Canada Goose Online[/url] kgpwms http://canadagooseoutletss.com ickbgv [url=http://salecanadagooseoutlet.ca]Canada Goose Jacket[/url] pckprp http://salecanadagooseoutlet.ca hpsqdq [url=http://mycanadagoose-canada.com]Canada Goose Jackets[/url] zbgbic http://mycanadagoose-canada.com ajapsf [url=http://salecanadagoose-outlets.com]Canada Goose sale[/url] jiyvxj http://salecanadagoose-outlets.com doyimy [url=http://salecanaadagoosejackets.ca]Canada Goose Jackets[/url] nniafz http://salecanaadagoosejackets.ca vkuedn

Anonymous said...

BrtBfk [url=http://ghdshairscarestore.com/]ghd[/url] QqjRkw http://ghdshairscarestore.com/ IquFdq [url=http://ghdshairscareshop.com/]ghd straighteners[/url] EkhLpw http://ghdshairscareshop.com/ CftGsz [url=http://ghdshaircarestore.com/]cheap ghd hair straighteners[/url] HinUxs http://ghdshaircarestore.com/ BbaZvt [url=http://ghdshaircareshop.com/]ghd straightener[/url] QycLzr http://ghdshaircareshop.com/ PgvSep [url=http://ghdhairscarestore.com/]cheap ghd australia[/url] XjtSky http://ghdhairscarestore.com/ LkzCbs [url=http://ghdhairscaresshop.com/]ghd factory outlet[/url] WocHzz http://ghdhairscaresshop.com/ SmhMkq [url=http://ghdhaircarestore.com/]ghd outlet[/url] YodOsh http://ghdhaircarestore.com/ LcrYme [url=http://ghdhaircaresstore.com/]ghd australia[/url] FrlEdm http://ghdhaircaresstore.com/ PxlFif [url=http://ghdhaircareshop.com/]ghd straightener australia[/url] HhxOvo http://ghdhaircareshop.com/

Anonymous said...

ptqe [url=http://okbeatsbydrecheap.com]Cheap Beats By Dre[/url] ighl http://okbeatsbydrecheap.com ytgk azsj [url=http://beatsbydresalesok.com]Beats By Dre Sale[/url] aqlb http://beatsbydresalesok.com tezx ndxt [url=http://okbeatsbydreus.com]Cheap Beats By Dre[/url] yvuf http://okbeatsbydreus.com wbpn hidr [url=http://salebeatsbydreoutlet.com]Beats By Dre Outlet[/url] exnt http://salebeatsbydreoutlet.com ovtn