Valentine's Day

This doesn't start well, but it finishes well, so bear with me. Thursday, February 10, my car engine started smoking as I was driving home from work on the freeway. I pulled over and called for a tow truck. Yeah, the car will be in the shop for several days. My main concern is transportation to work. I have insurance, so not a problem, right? Wrong! The car rental place has been giving me the run-around. I finally got a car at the last minute Friday night after spending all day Friday trying to get it nailed down. They told me with my insurance I could have "anything on the lot". Then they proceeded to ignore me while giving away everything on the lot as a "free upgrade" to other people. They gave me a car that looks like a hearse. I told them this was unacceptable. They didn't care and wouldn't have anything until Monday.

So, I drove this hearse-like contraption and discovered many problems with it. When I got back to the town where my car was in the shop, the shop was closed. As I had not eaten due to lack of transportation and needing to keep after getting a car, I drove to a restaurant. This is where it gets good, so stay with me.

By this time my nerves were shot and I could not drive the hearse-like vehicle any more. I was a physical wreck from not eating and not sleeping. I knew I was not a pleasant person. I tried to explain and apologize to the waitress. I also explained I do not eat animal products and I know that is a problem at most restaurants. Dawn assured me I was not difficult and my request was not a problem. She brought me a beautiful plate of tofu and vegetables. I asked if I could leave the vehicle in the parking lot and arrange to have it towed in the morning. This was not a problem. I then walked home in the dark. (After getting a big hug from Dawn and her assurance God had a blessing for me.)

The mail held a very welcome and long-overdue surprise for me. The phone company had claimed I owed a large amount and refused to provide proof. They cut off my phone service. This made me look like a deadbeat everywhere when I had to explain my phone had been cut off. I requested assistance from Better Business Bureau. They accepted a statement from the phone company with no itemization other than there were charges from another company. I requested a copy of the contract authorizing these charges to my account.

In the mail Saturday morning was a letter from the Better Business Bureau. They claimed the phone company had sent me a letter. (They had not.) The phone company had dropped charges from the outside company and also late charges they charged which I did not owe. And they sent me a small check. I still do not have phone service. They had no right to disconnect as I did not owe them, so I still have a little hurdle. But that should be resolved soon. I decided I wanted to celebrate by taking Dawn to dinner.

We met this afternoon, but she had already eaten. We went for coffee. I wanted to give her some flowers or chocolates, but could not go shopping. I had a scrap of fabric printed to look like a box of chocolates, so I made a tiny tote with a zipper from that. I put $10 in it for her to get herself something. She was thrilled that I had made something for her. She was walking because her bike needs a repair and it requires a $20 part. Her boyfriend will make the repair. As I was not buying her meal and had budgeted $10 for her meal, I gave her another $10 on the condition she repair her bike.

As we visited, she pointed out various homeless people outside the window. She seems to know them all. I explained to her what I am trying to do and asked if she would help me distribute things to those who most need them. She agreed. I have things for one more sock package. When I get a car, I will get more supplies. Then I will take some sock packages to her to be distributed. She suggested hair ties, so I have added that to my list.

So, while I am having a horrible time with car troubles right now, it was the car problem that brought me to Dawn and she will be a great help in distributing things for me and giving me suggestions for my list. And I am thankful I was able to celebrate my victory in the phone situation by helping Dawn get her bike repaired. I hope it is repaired soon, as she has a long walk to and from work.

So often the most difficult times result in something good. I try to keep reminding myself of that. This car situation is a good example of that. I hope it is the beginning of some bigger problems being resolved equally well.