Significance of a Day's Events

Sometimes our day's events take us by surprise. Today, March 5, 2008, was one of those days for me.

A friend needed a ride to the doctor for a scheduled colonoscopy - the one that is recommended once you start your fifth decade. I accompanied her to the clinic and stayed long enough for the nurse to give me a pager to fasten to my waist. I was to leave and return when the pager buzzed me to indicate my friend's procedure was complete. As I left the waiting room in the clinic, I couldn't help but notice a few frail patients who looked like they were in their sixth decade and, it crossed my mind, that I had better get one of these procedures performed since I am 53 years old. Seeing some of the patients made me realize the importance of early screening.

I drove off out of the clinic's parking lot and decided to head to Tires Plus to get a needed oil change for my vehicle. I left the car to get serviced and indicated that it was important the job be completed within the next hour. Fortunately, there was a shopping plaza across the road from Tires Plus and I headed over that way to shop at the Bealls Outlet.

I'm going on a two week holiday to the Caribbean Island of Curacao this month, so a few things items are needed. This store is great . . . I love the assortment of colors and styles! I was in the store just over half an hour and the pager that was snapped to my waist buzzed. And, at the cash register, it began buzzing again. I hurried over across the road to Tires Plus and indicated to the manager that I was in a hurry to pick up a friend. The manager, Gary, went into the garage to check on the status of my oil change. He returned a short time later indicating the job was complete and I paid the bill. My vehicle was still sitting in the garage bay and the mechanic smiled and wished me a great afternoon.

I drove off out of Tires Plus and about half a mile down the road, the engine started making weird noises. As I drove a little further, the noises grew louder and I grew anxious. At the same time, my cell phone was ringing and, upon answering it, it was the manager, Gary, from Tires Plus. He sounded very concerned and told me to pull off the road and shut off the engine immediately and that he'd come and meet me. I told him the engine sounded strange! A short time passed and then Gary pulled up next to me in his truck and said that I had lost all the oil in my engine and that he'd fix it. He told me that my car would have to be towed back to Tires Plus and that he'd drive me to the clinic to pick up my friend whose colonoscopy procedure had been completed.

I didn't have to tell Gary where the clinic was located because not long ago, Gary had prepared for the colonoscopy procedure and had been sitting in that same doctor's office. Unfortunately for him, the doctor who was to perform the procedure didn't show up and Gary had to leave. He said that today's events leading him back to the doctor's office was a reminder to him that he should consider rescheduling this procedure.

Tires Plus arranged for a taxi to pick up my friend and I at the clinic and transport us to get lunch and then back to pick up my vehicle. This certainly was a day of surprises and also a day of reconning (need to get that colonoscopy scheduled). Fortunately, my car is driving well now . . . the problem was caught before the engine was destroyed.