Perspective: It’s really half-full

Frederic Köberl

About a week ago I hit a massive pothole less than two miles from my house.  In over twenty  years of driving, this is the first time that I have hit a pothole in this Michigan where immaculate roads only exist once you cross the border into Ohio.

Fortunately, I was able to  pull into the parking lot of a church and wait for assistance.  There was one other car in the lot; however, the residential street adjacent to the church was filled with cars.  I didn’t notice the people waiting in the vehicles because I may have been pissed that the janky roads had decided to bestow upon me their blessing of a flat tire.  While I waited, I scoped out the area to make sure there were no sketchy individuals lurking; there were none.  The church security guard pulled up to check to see if I needed any assistance, and I told him I was waiting for AAA.  He proceeded to exit the parking lot and drive around the block.  Soon after, I saw him leading all of the cars that were parked on the side street into the church lot.  They passed me and formed a line behind the patrol car.  At first I thought it was a funeral procession, but there was not a hearse in sight.  Then I wondered if it was a group of parents coming to enroll their children for the charter school housed on the premises or some sort of summer program the church was offering.  But there were no children with them, and no one was parking or getting out of their vehicles.  After the last car entered the lot, the security guard exited his car which was still at the front of the line as a way to keep everyone in order.  He came to check on me again, and I asked him what was going on.  He told me.   All of the cars I saw were waiting for the food bank.

The food bank.  Those words immediately put everything into perspective for me.  I was grateful that I could call both AAA and the dealership for roadside assistance.  However, I had been irritated that I had a flat tire.  I had a flat tire in a car that takes me to the grocery store all the time where I pick out the fresh produce, seafood, poultry and snacks that I want.   They were waiting in line to receive food that had been donated after those who were more fortunate cleaned out their pantry or grabbed a few extra cans of corn at the market. I had a flat tire in a car that takes me to  Whole Foods, Aldi and any store in between.  They were waiting in line to receive free food because they can’t afford the exorbitant prices of their local store or their aid is not enough to feed their families.  I had a flat tire in a car that has a tire warranty to protect me from ridiculous out of pocket costs when I play Russian roulette on these roads.  I had a flat tire in a car that takes me to various bars and restaurants when I please. A flat tire in a car that was taking me to a professional development that would not dock my pay because I was not there.  A flat on a car with a tire warranty.  A flat tire on the vehicle of a AAA member.  A flat tire serving as a reminder of how truly blessed I am.  A reminder that the lens with which I view the world may look like paradise to someone looking from a different angle.

Selah