I Live A Charmed Life .. But....
No one is immune to surprises!
So, a confession .. I have it pretty easy. 8 kids might seem daunting, but the youngest will enter high school in the fall and the challenges to date have been far milder than many have endured. I’m almost retired .. my spouse of 28+ years is at the top of her game (maybe … there’s still room higher…), 6 kids through high school and for the most part, all thriving. Yes, a charmed life… but…
Even those who have it easy need to periodically get a curve ball tossed their way. And we need it. Need it to stay in that state of endless charm. Sometimes it is just a challenging day with a grandchild. Sometimes it is a bit more daunting. This was one of those weeks.
This past Wednesday, my wife and daughter departed for Florida to support her rowing club at the national championships .. and spend a couple days at Disney since, you know, they were in the neighborhood. While I’m not fond of flying solo, I am used to it. So as they get to the airport, I get a text from my daughter…. mom blew a tire on the way in to the parking ramp. We got parked, but need to get checked in.
Hmmm… so, this is now my problem. I’m well trained. What we’ve gone through to this point certainly is tougher than this problem, right? And.. well, no time crunch since they won’t return until Sunday evening.
I sleep on it .. not well, mind you. The first night alone on any of these rather frequent excursions is still a little dicey. Thursday .. I teach my morning classes and then head down to the parking garage at the airport. The level housing the car is closed to incoming traffic. Handy. I parked above where I think the car is parked ahead head down to take a peek. Awful. No way to tow it in this low ceiling garage. Wheel must come off, get the tire replaced and I return to put it back on before they return. A plan.
Glitch number one .. I drive a Ford Explorer, my wife drives a Ford Eco Sport .. no spare, no jack, no tire iron. Fine, I’ll use mine, which carry down a couple floors. Hmmmm…. I now know that lug nuts are not standard. My jack is useful, my lug nut wrench a couple sizes too large. Think.. gotta be an auto parts store close by, right? Nailed it. Left the structure, procured the necessary tool .. back to structure .. wheel easily removed.
Back to home base as our tire guy is just around the corner. A fair sum out of pocket later, I have a wheel to take back to the airport tomorrow…
Perhaps this Father’s Day I have earned an additional gift……
In general, I have a tendency to underestimate my competence at life .. but turns out that like most of us, I can solve whatever problem rears its head…