Auto Repair

She’s going through a rough patch.

 

I give my best life lesson advice:

 

 

“Do the right thing, always. We will get you through this. It won’t be easy, but hard times produce beautiful results.

 

Breathe deep.

 

Exhale with power.

 

Stay focused on your family and your goals for you and them.

 

I love you BIG.

 

Don’t give your power and your peace to others.”

 

I believe these words or I wouldn’t have typed them.

 

Maggie Rose and I prepare to do all the things. I start my car. Oh wow something isn’t right, sounds like a bad muffler. Engine light flashing, I perform a system scan.

 

“P0303 indicates that cylinder number 3 is experiencing misfires.”

 

Dang.

 

A misfire of one or more cylinders can be many things from worn out spark plugs (one can only hope) to internal engine failure (please God no).

 

A quick stop at my go-to auto shop, opening the door quickly, only to find a freakishly bare hollow shell of a former auto repair shop, sets me back a tad on my heels. What the heck?

 

A couple gentlemen are doing a little landscaping with big equipment out in the parking lot. One is kind enough to answer my what-the-heck questions.

 

“They moved to Thayne.”

 

“You are kidding me.”

 

“Nope. Moved last week.”

 

“Why?” I asked a question to which I already knew the answer.

 

“They couldn’t keep enough help.”

 

I’m so sad. The owner was good to me, as was his entire crew, fair people.

 

But sad doesn’t fix the little engine that could when properly cared for.

 

Next stop, another recommended auto repair shop. This one is locked up tight. No one’s home. I stop by to visit with a colleague who’d left me a message earlier.

 

“Where’s so-and-so?”

 

“He sold the place. The new owner is in Vegas. Won’t be back until Monday.”

 

“Get out.”

 

“I know. I need my car repaired too.”

 

Not feeling good about the situation I decide to go ahead and get my clothes washing at the laundry. Strategically planning each stop without turning off my car, I knock out multiple tasks on my to-do list.

 

A couple people recommend a gentleman who’s been, in my experience, a shyster. Nope. Just because I don’t have a penis doesn’t mean I’m not performing due diligence concerning auto repairs. And this gentleman, the term ‘gentleman’ loosely applied, isn’t getting a second chance to take my money. Not to mention inept repairs requiring multiple return trips.

 

Finally, I stop by a place formally locally owned. Slammed with car repairs, it would be next week before they could even take a peek at my little number.

 

Weary, the grocery store is my last stop. Last because I’m going to kill the engine and if it doesn’t start or if it blows up, I have AAA to tow me home.

 

Returning to my car, praying a quick prayer, I crank the tired engine. She runs like a charm.

 

I call my acquaintance down in Thayne.

 

“What does this mean?”

 

“It means you have an intermittent problem.”

 

Stop it.

 

“But does it mean I can drive it until my next days off? Look in your crystal ball and tell me what I should do.”

 

“If I had a crystal ball I wouldn’t repair cars for a living.”

 

He makes me laugh and I desperately needed to laugh.

 

With no resolution in sight - not for lack of trying - Maggie and I, along with a car full of clean clothes, groceries, and water, head home to review any remaining options.

 

Tomorrow I’ll start again.

 

Regardless of the season of life, lessons are ongoing and offer opportunities for continued practice and growth. 

 

Breathe.

 

Inhale.

 

Exhale.

 

Stay focused.

 

Take control of emotions.

 

Don’t give away power.

 

Know your worth.

 

Hard times produce beautiful results.

 

Amen and amen.