Soul Love
8:06 PM Edit This 23 Comments »
And after driving in the hurricane proportion downpour for a half hour, realizing that I wasn't really breathing, I decided that maybe I should just get off and take a break. And as I turned on my blinker, I noticed the trucker behind me doing the same thing. If a trucker thinks it's time to get off, then I'm pretty sure I should get off. And I'm glad that he did, because about two seconds into my braking, I started hydroplaning off the exit and into the ditch.Don't tell me that people are bad, because the hour I spent in Avoka, IA proves to me (as if I needed more proof) that people are inherently good. Mind you, it's raining in epic proportions. You can't see past your nose. The trucker stopped and hopped out sans jacket, opened my door and asked if I was okay. I'm not proud of how I react in emergencies, but I couldn't get anything to come out of my mouth and responded with a blank stare. He asked again and I managed, "Okay?" And he offered to drive me up to the truck stop. Normally, I wouldn't go anywhere with a stranger, but this seemed like a good idea, so I did.
Apparently road mishaps are the baby of the American Pie Cafe, because he walked me in under his huge coat, deposited me in a booth, ordered coffee for me and went back to the kitchen to find someone to go back with him to get my car. The waitress brought me steaming hot coffee, towels and a blanket and sat with me. SAT WITH ME. Until I got my bearings. And by the time that happened, the trucker was back with my car, he'd checked out the alignment and said it was completely fine and asked where I was going.
I admit. I was crying. I cry when I'm all kinds of feelings, but scared crying? I think that's allowed - if not encouraged in my life. So I told him the whole story, he pulls out his weather radio and his Iowa map and highlighter and marked the direction I should go to outdrive the storm. I asked if I could get him some coffee. He declined and left. And the waitress said she knew him and he has a heart of gold and thank God he was behind me and did I want some soup.
People? I don't like surprises and I don't like emergencies, but this one? I'll never forget it.
Because the word "tickled" described my Grandma the whole time I was there. Pleased as punch? I don't know. But I love her with my soul and I don't think there's much more to life than soul love.
23 comments:
Glad you had a guardian angel watching out for you, K8! Glad you got to see Gran, too!
Glad you're okay!
Great shot of you and Gran. :)
Glad you're okay. Sometimes a simple act of kindness from a stranger is all it takes to renew your faith in humanity. And in angels.
Jeff
That's a very interesting story. One you'll never forget.
God bless that trucker. I'm so glad that there were kind people around to help you when you needed them.
Wow! Glad you made it home okay and got a great visit in with your grandmother :) Sometimes our souls just need recharging!
Oh Kate! How scary. I'm so glad people rock, and I hope you didn't turn down that soup because soup makes (almost) anything better, especially if you are on your way to see your awesome granny.
In my experience, anyway.
Ooh I hydroplaned the other day so I'm with you...it's NOT fun. I'm so glad there was someone good behind you.
Glad to hear you're safe. That story is the stuff screenplays are made of. The pic of you & your Gran is wonderful.
I am glad to hear you are okay! Thats cool he stopped, because when I rolled my truck down the highway, no one stopped. Especially the douche bag that hit me.
Drove a lot in my job over the years...Helped a lot of folks, and had folks help me. Helping makes you feel good...
Thank goodness you are ok! And got to have a good visit.
I'm glad you're okay. I love stories like this. It restores my faith in mankind. :)
What a fabulous story. Ok, maybe not he bit with the huge scary at the beginning, but the way you were taken care of is another example of the kinds of good souls out there, willing and happy to do the right thing and way more.
Glad you're safe!
Happy story well told.
Did you show this to Gran? you really really should
How cute is Gran?! I want to squeeze her little face!
Sometimes people make me cry. In a good way. I hope something really wonderful happens for that truck driver, and for the waittress that sat with you.
Glad to hear you made it home OK even with all the drama. Sometimes us midwesterners get a bad rap for being standoffish but there's no better place to need to rely on the kindness of strangers!
Um, scary as hell.
thank God for nice people!
See? This wouldn't happen if I was your copilot instead of God. Tell him to move over.
Happy to hear that you arrived back in SF safely!
See that's why I don't leave a 20 minute radius of my house when I'm alone.
Maybe I'd do it for my grandma, but that's it.
Thank goodness you're okay!
This is a different country you're talking about. This "midwest."
Glad you're okay!
Angels are out there :) What an awesome story (sorry to hear how you had to experience this kindness).
Glad you are safe!
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