The other day, I was driving through the Malibu Canyon tunnel when I saw/heard a blowout. Two cars ahead, a pickup truck’s front tire blew and the guy slowly made his way out of the tunnel and to the side of the road. We all slowed and past him… and suddenly I was hit with a sense of “being left behind.”
I pulled off, turned around and went back. As I pulled over to the other side, across from him, I watched as the man got out, checked his tire and shook his head in disappointment. As I watched, many many cars past him. Almost as if he wasn’t even there. Now, normally, that would be me. But this time, I had this feeling of why?
We all go through difficult times and difficult things. Seemingly alone most of the time. In my car, I sat as I watched. Not being able to make a u-turn to him, I screamed “You gotta a cell phone?” He looked up at me and screamed back… “Gonna call AAA!!” But, it wasn’t what he said, but the look on his face. It was a strange combination of surprise and appreciation. Like, “What the heck is happening? Someone is helping me?”
He gave me a thumbs up, so I finally made a u-turn and headed away. But as I looked back, he still had that look. The kind of look that sinks in deep. Now, I don’t say this to toot my own horn because I didn’t really help the guy. But I did learn something. And that is that we drive, drive, drive. And we love our cars. Why not keep an eye out for each other as well. If someone needs help, get out and help them. A phone call, a push, a thumbs up. It doesn’t matter. It’s the right thing, in the right way. No meeting is too important to leave people behind and in jeopardy. But that doesn’t mean pick up strangers. I’m talking about “real” help.” Look beyond yourself and you’ll receive the greatest gift on the planet. Love.
One Response to “Use your love of cars to spread LOVE…”
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May 19th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Fireball, I know how you feel. Somewhat of the same thing happened to me 5-15-08. I parked at a market and started toward the door. I noticed a clicking noise coming from an old Acura. Upon further investigation I found an older couple in the car. They were trying to start the car, and from the noise it was making I could tell it had a dead battery.
I knocked on the drivers door, opened it up, and asked them “do you need any help? Do you have a cell phone?” Their answer was yes and no. I pulled out my cell phone and called for a tow truck. I opened the hood and saw that there was a new battery, alternator and drive belt. I questioned them about it and suggested that they take the car back to where they had those repairs performed.
I went in to do my shopping and brought them out some cold water when I was finished. They were still waiting for a tow truck at that time. Having already given them my business card, I told them to call me if they needed any more help.
Most people would have just kept on walking and ignored this old couple sitting in a car, with the windows rolled up, in the blazing sun, but I couldn’t. I needed to help them in any way possible. I couldn’t just leave them there. Could you have? I think not.