Sometimes Things Go Wrong

Have you ever had a day when something went wrong? And no matter how you wished you could fix it, you couldn’t and it ended up costing you…a lot. Well, here’s what happened to me yesterday. I had been noticing this odd noise coming from the front of my vehicle. It seemed that as I drove faster, it got louder. It sounded much like a jet engine. And while I enjoy flying (when I have a window seat), I didn’t enjoy my car sounding like that.

I took it into the shop and when the guy behind the counter asked what the problem was, I really didn’t know what to tell him. “Well, it kinda, sorta sounds like a jet engine taking off.” As I began talking he began writing and, as I stammered through the rest of what I thought it might be, I tried to read, upside-down, what he was writing. I was curious to see if he was describing the problem in my words or if he had already diagnosed it. But, alas, his handwriting was akin to some doctors who write out a prescription and all the while you’re handing it to the pharmacist you’re hoping against hope they had some type of handwriting deciphering course in college. Not having had that course myself, there was no way I could know what this guy had scribbled on that little notepad. But he seemed pretty confident so I kept talking and he kept writing. Finally, he looked up, and asked me how long it had been sounding like that. Again, I was searching for the words. “Well, I just noticed it a few days ago. But I play the radio pretty loud so it could have been going on for quite some time.” It’s true. Music both soothes my soul and motivates me and it’s a big part of my life. I had only noticed the car’s odd noise when it began to be loud enough to interfere with my listening pleasure. He jotted down another note, took my car key with the promise they would call with an estimate once the mechanic had had a chance to check it out. I felt a little lost, leaving my car and walking away. After all we’d been through….I almost found myself saying, “Please, just take care of her; she’s all I’ve got...”

Now it always makes me a little nervous, waiting for that call. And yesterday was no exception. Within an hour the mechanic called. I missed it but got the voicemail. Of course, he didn’t leave the estimate on the voicemail, only a message to give him a call. I wondered, “Surely he would have left a message if it had been something simple….and inexpensive. What does this mean? A major repair? Thousands of dollars? Is the car beyond help?”

My mind raced as I hesitantly pressed the digits and heard the phone begin to ring. It was like calling my own doctor to find out test results, and hoping for the best, but preparing myself for the not-so-good news.

In the end, it had been a problem that I couldn’t fix. But the mechanic could. Only it would cost me. $500. But for that I would get my car back and she would be better than before. She would have a new wheel bearing assembly and new brakes to boot. And, wow, she sounded so much better, so much quieter.

When I picked up the car that evening, I didn’t turn the music up quite as loud. Instead, I turned it off and just listened a few minutes to her purr. It was like music to my ears. Then the thought of the $500 came to mind. And all the ‘stuff’ I could have bought with that $500. $500?! Why, that’s like….paying a ransom! (Sort of.)

I cranked up the radio. After all, I needed to soothe my soul, and the music did just that. I remembered to not dwell on the problem or what it cost to fix it. I remembered to be thankful it was fixed and me and my car were back in business. I reached down and turned up the music a little louder as Kool & the Gang and I began to sing, “Celebrate good times, c’mon…!” And in that moment, only that moment mattered. Me and my little car, we’re gonna celebrate and have a good time.

Joy. It’s a choice.

Celebrate life,
Jean