The process didn't start out well. I only work part-time now and mostly only when I want to. I have two part time jobs. Yesterday, I had agreed with one of them to travel 2 hours from home to help out due to a staffing shortage. I arrived early, met one of the other employees I hadn't seen in a while and spoke for a while. An hour later, I decided I wanted to change parking spaces. My F150 has a key fob, so you hit the brake and press the button. Well, I hit the brake and pressed the button. To my surprise, nothing happened. Had I left the headlights on? I checked all items I could and still nothing. I hit up the internet and started to see if there was a solution on line. For the next 1.5 hours, I was met with defeat around each corner. I was not familiar with this city at all and wasn't sure even where I was exactly. I checked the internet for mechanic shops around me when I had given up easy fixes and decided my starter probably went. According to my internet research, the starters on Ford truck engines just go without warning. Seemed to be the case here. What to do? I called my shop back home, but he didn't know any shops where I was. He suggested to check the wires leading to the starter and solenoid to see if they had succombed to corrosion. As much as I shouldn't have, I crawled under the front of the truck. Everything seemed in order. I surrendered to the fact that I needed a mechanic to look at the truck.
I hit the internet blind, searching for auto repair shops near my location. I settled on two that appeared to be one or two man operations in business for several years. Both went to messages stating leave my name and number. I did. One called back within five minutes. The other still hasn't called (I'm not going to answer if they do
) After explaining how far behind the eight ball I was, the man said he thought he could help me get home that evening. He recommended a couple of tow companies and the first one I called said no problem. I couldn't leave the jobsite, but I could prepay the driver when he arrived. It was going to be an hour. 15 minutes later the flatbed showed up and a very nice man said the shop I was having do the work was owned by a nice fellow. The driver said he would text me when the truck was delivered to the shop, two miles away. Instead of texting, he called and verified it was dropped at the shop. He even wished me a better day than so far.The man at the shop called within a couple hours of recieving the truck. He said it was indeed a bad starter and he had ordered a premium one vs. an average one and he could have the truck ready by end of day if the part arrived on time. Great. He called back at end of day and ended up picking me up and I paid him at the shop. There he showed me his two muscle cars he stored at the shop, a 60's something Shelby mustang and a 70's something Chevrolet of some sort. Not being much of a car guy with types, I can't say what the Chevy was. I loved the Shelby as it was all original and in beautiful shape. We talked a bit and then after paying the bill, I reached into my pocket and gave him all the large bills I had as an off the books tip. I know he didn't need or expect it, but he truly appreciated the gesture. I made a recommendation for him on an inside the pants holster before I left. I could have talked with him all day as he was just a great guy.
Just before I left the jobsite for the two hour trip home, the same flatbed and driver picked up a vehicle just across the street from us. When he recognized the truck and saw me going towards it, he extended his arm and yelled out that he was glad it had all worked out. I yelled back a big thanks for everything and then set out for home.
What could have been a very expensive nightmare turned into a very lucky encounter and I met two very nice folks. What is my point? Despite what we see, read and sometimes encounter, there are still plenty of decent, nice people in the world. They don't stand out, they don't seek the spotlight, they do what you and I do. Treat others as you would hope to be treated. Nothing more, nothing less. I was very happy to have had the day take the course it did. I was reminded of what I have always believed, folks like that are the rule, not the exception.
Thanks for reading, I just wanted to get that out.
