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Life can turn on a dime where suddenly you realize that there may be no tomorrows because the Angel of Death is now in your presence offering you few options for escaping death’s grasp.
As I listened to the weather report today on the potential of bad storming, I found myself stressed recounting a life-threatening situation in late June 2011.
I was driving my wife’s car on a trip from Wilmington, DE to Dover, DE roughly fifty miles. I very seldom drive my wife’s car so I did not even know where the cruise control is located that suggested I ought to take my time en route. I decided to get off Route 1 with its 65 Mile per hour speed limit to take Route 13 with 55 mph speed limit and pass through the towns along the route.
However, it started to monsoon while I drove down Route 1. It was difficult to see from the rain hitting my windshield. Once on Route 13, I got up to 55 mph when suddenly my engine cutoff. The first thing I did was to guide the car to the side of the road because I surmised that the rain had knocked out the engine.
I waited a couple of minutes then I cranked the engine. The battery was strong but the engine did not pop or anything other than crank. I waited a couple of more minutes and tried cranking once again to no avail. My nerves started to rattle as my precarious position along the highway morphed into a life and death worry.
I calmed myself down enough to realize that I had a cellphone and AAA roadside service. I got AAA on the line. I told the lady that I was concerned highly over my life because I was watching the traffic coming down Route 13 with my car sitting along the roadside. I could see the fast moving Lorries and cars in my rear view mirror.
I felt hopeless because it was raining too severely to get out of the car and walk out into the grass. My eyes were glued on my rear view mirror for I was hoping now one lost control of her or his vehicle and come crashing into my car. I guesstimate it was roughly a half hour when the AAA truck showed up. Fortunately, the monsoon passed by the time he reached my car.
The AAA driver did not waste any time getting my car out of harms-way. He loaded my car onto the truck and took it to Brandywine Chrysler (BCP) in Smyrna DE a dealer where I buy cars. BCP found the timing belt broke and one of the cylinder lifters was damaged. Bottom-line, significant engine work is required to get it running right again.
I am very thankful that no one crashed into my wife’s car as you see happen on some television shows that highlight people getting struck on the side of the road. I was also reminded that tomorrow is promised to no one furthermore God only knows what will happen today. Hence, I learned never to take life for granted for the Grim-reaper does not forgive your mistaken judgments.
