The Drive, The Tire, and The Tears

On Saturday I drove Adam to Brighton Ski Resort for his snowboarding lesson. I usually stay up there with him because I HATE the drive up and down the canyon. I know it is not that bead, but I hate it. So this particular week I had to come back down because Lewis' cousin was having her wedding shower and I wanted to go. So I go up, get Adam all set for lessons and start my drive down the mountain. I call Lewis and tell him that I am on my way and I will be home in about 30 to 45 minutes. About halfway down, right where the road does an "S" curve my tire blows out. I shout an obscenity and pull over to the side of the road. But as we all know there is no side of the road on that part of the drive. I thought 'did I hit a rock?'. But no there was nothing in the road. My tire went from fine to flat in about 3 seconds. So I decide to use the roadside assistance. I get my phone out and yes, you guessed it no service. So I grab the jack and get ready to change my own tire. Each time I turned the jack the base sinks into the mud. With each turn it sinks more. I realize there is no way that I can do this alone. So I try to flag down a car to get someone to either help me, or drive me to get cell service so I can call for help. At least 200 cars pass me and do not stop to help. After 45 minutes I am wet, muddy and angry. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Nobody will stop to help.

Lets stop and think for a second. In the last 6 weeks I have:

1. Sprained my foot

2. Had my purse start on fire, and have to stomp the fire out

3. Left on the side of the road in the rain and mud to fend for myself

I start thinking What have I done to deserve this? And then the tears come. I just start bawling. (And if you know me I just do not cry. Maybe a tear when the kids were born and I well up during that stupid ABC show about the Home Makeover sometimes, but never if anyone is around. I also welled up during The Notebook, and still do each time I see it. LOVE that movie!) So I curse every car that passes, sees me crying in the mud, and honks for me to get out of the way before they drive off. I curse every car that has a Families are Forever bumper sticker, and a CTR window cling. Seriously people. Practice what you preach. I am not a scary man with an axe ready to kill you. All I needed was a little help to a phone.

I am crying so hard that when "Gary" stops and asks if I need help all I can do is nod my head. He gets out, and puts his hand on my back and says, "We can help you but, you will need to stop that." He gets the jack and realises why I am so frustrated. He can't do it either. There is just too much mud. So he calls to the truck and out come about 5 scouts. They were up camping in the snow and were rushing down to get to their school for baseball tryouts. The boys end up lifting the front of the car just enough so he can get the tire off and the little donut back on. Then they follow me out of the canyon. I hope that they made it safely and on time.

Thank you "Gary" wherever you are.