A blown tire...

When I was learning how to drive, I was taught how to change a flat tire. It was something my Grandpa made sure we knew how to do, before he'd take us down to get our liscense. I was glad he made us learn that because it's come in hand a few times now, plus I had the assurance of knowing I'd be able to change a tire, had I needed to when I was alone, or so I thought... Ugh!

I've been having trouble with my tires not keeping air in them, but I just assumed it was due to a small hole or something in the tire, and I could just take it to the shop, and have them patch it. Well, I never got around to taking it to the shop; I couldn't ever find the time. With my new work arrangements, I'm not able to get off of work early enough in the evenings to take it before they close, and the weekends always seem to have something going on, where I'm not able to get it down there to be fixed. I'm kicking myself now for not making time, but the past is the past.

Ok, so I'm on the highway, driving home, late at night, and all of a sudden I feel like I'm dragging something. I pull over, and I know the whole time it's one of my tires. I sit in my car a second, and try to make sure I remember all the steps Grandpa taught me, on how to change a tire. Then my mind immediately goes to the fact that someone could lose control of their car, and smash right into me, while I'm changing the tire, and that would be that. Or, they'd hit me, and I'd leave a big "Tony" size dent in their car! Either way, it wouldn't be fun!

So I get out to survey the damage, and thankfully the flat is on the side facing the ditch, so I'm not out in direct striking range of traffic. I'm standing there, and I suddenly get this sickened feeling. I realized, I had no clue how to get the spare off from under my car. In all the other cars I'd driven, the spare was hidden in the trunk, under a trap door. Not only was I not sure how to get the tire down, sadly enough, I wasn't even sure, I could fit under there to get the tire down! Which by the way made me realize, Weight Watcher's is in my near future, but I digress. The only thing I can think of to do, was to call one of my brothers. I called John, and he was still at work in Sedgwick, and wasn't able to come, so then I call Eric. I was thinking he might be asleep, so I felt bad, but not bad enough to end up spending the whole night changing a tire, just so he could sleep. Thankfully he was awake, and said he'd be right there to help. I get back in my car to wait for him, and I lock the doors, because in my mind, the boogie man, and his henchmen, are just down in the ditch waiting for me to be out there alone, giving them easy access to grab and maul me. I have a vivid imagination.

Eventually I see a car pull in behind me, and instead of being happy for some help, I think to myself, "I know this isn't Eric, they got here too fast, who is this person, and what to I have in my car to beat them with, if I need to." I got out of my car, and this guy asked right away if I was ok. I explained to him that I was fine, but that I had a flat tire, and wasn't sure how to get the spare down, and that my brother was headed here, to help me. He explained that there was usually some sort of a lock to hold the tire in place and that I would need to unlock it to get the tire down. He asked me if I had my keys, and used them to unlock the tire, and get things going. Shortly after that, the Motorist assist showed up, and was able to bring a bigger flash light over, and some better abled tools in, to do the job quicker. Eric got there and was able to help the guy finish up with changing the tire, and they had it done in no time at all. When they pulled the tire off, you could see where it was balding, so evidently it had been bad for some time, and just recently started showing the signs. The guy that stopped to help me was awesome! He didn't know me, and yet he still chose to stop and see what help he could be. I really appreciate that. It caused me to stop and think of times when I could have been a help to someone, and wasn't. It was a reality check sort of situation.

When they got done, the guy shook my hand, and gave his name. He then went on to say that he was in the US Marine's. I tell you, those people (military personnel) don't stop. They gave for their country and fellow man, and they still continue to do so, even after they're back! Thank our Military Personnel, when you see them!

Now the neat part. I had been going, and going on this balding tire all day. I was in rush hour traffic that morning headed to work. I was in rush hour traffic that evening headed home. I had gone to the store, then to my cousins house, then was headed back home, and thats when the tire finally blew. I really feel that God protected me, and kept the tire from blowing earlier in the day, when I could have possibly had to stop suddenly, or swerve, and could have created more of a dangerous situation, than it already was. God is good!

The next step... buying a new tire(s) for my Tahoe! Ouch!