Every Little Thing by April Jeppson

 

This past week left me carless for 72 hours. When I word it like that, it doesn’t sound like much. I, however, had to rely on my husband multiple times to drop me off and pick me up from work. I also needed the help of five different people to keep my little world running.

I’m driving down Main Street Friday at 5:30 p.m. when all of a sudden my battery light flashes on. Within moments my radio shuts off and my ABS  lights come on. My brake lights never come on. I turn off by Walgreens, and before I can make it onto Fountain, my van dies — key stuck in the ignition and flasher lights won’t come on. It’s dead.

I’m in the van with my youngest coming home from a birthday party. My husband has the two older kids at a movie and has his phone off. I’m trying not to panic as I think about who on earth I could call to help me — it’s now starting to drizzle.

I think about my friends who were also at this party. In fact one was just a few cars ahead of me when I pulled off the street. I called Matt to see if he could turn around and come get my daughter and I.

He didn’t pause or hesitate. He came back for me and started immediately redirecting traffic. He called the police while I called the tow truck. My daughter was able to stay warm and dry in his truck while him and I tried to figure out if there was a way to jump or move my van. He stood out in the rain with me talking to those that would pull over and ask if we needed help. Then he gladly drove us home, as if spending the last 45 minutes in the cold rain wasn’t a burden at all.

The next morning was my last set of classes at the gymnastics club for the season. I texted my friend Nicole to see if she could pick me up on her way to work. Her only question was if she should pick me up before or after she grabs her morning coffee. Just like Matt, she almost seemed happy at the opportunity to serve me.

Sunday brings church. My husband usually has to be at church a good hour before me and tends to have meetings for an hour or two after. He will always take at least some of the kids with him to church, but I will usually bring them home with me. Trying to find someone that has room for four guests in their vehicle, on top of their own family, is not easy.

I figure worse-case scenario, we will all just camp out at the church until Brian is done. Maybe he’ll be able to reschedule one of his appointments. I mean, it also happens to be our 15th anniversary— so maybe he has a light load today anyway.

I message my friend Kirk and ask him if he can give me a ride to church. He responds with an enthusiastic, “Yes!.” Phew! OK, well at least I know my morning will be smooth. After church, my kids ask if they can go to my friend Gina’s to play with her daughter. Gina seems more than happy to have all three of my kids hang out at her house for a bit. Again, I’m continually amazed at how happy everyone seems to assist me.

I like to work out Monday mornings. It sets the tone for the week, and it really helps align my day. I message my friend Emelia and see if she’s cool with waking up at 5:15 a.m. so she can pick me up for the gym. Again, I get zero flack, guilt, himming or hawing. Only an enthusiastic “yas girl!” She pulls in my drive before the sun is even up, smiling and eager to chat. You would have thought it was her idea to chauffer me around.

Friday night to Monday afternoon could have been a very difficult time for me. I had the looming burden of how much this repair was going to cost me weighing heavy on my mind. So to receive so much help with such love and enthusiasm, it really did make this whole experience kind of enjoyable. It was a great reminder to me on how much attitude also plays a role when serving others. It’s not simply the act of helping, but the smile and kind word that accompanies it.

Albert Lean April Jeppson is a wife, mom, coach and encourager of dreams.