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It was early in the morning, and I was dropping my car off to get my snow tires changed. The guy at the counter asked for my husband’s phone number. I drew a blank. He looked at me like I was an idiot.

I said, “You know, I never actually dial the number anymore.”

He grunted and asked me for my phone number. Fortunately, I knew that.

As I stood there, feeling stupid and old, I realized I hadn’t felt that way for a while. My occasional trips to the grocery store and gas station have been largely lacking in social contact and, when I do talk to anyone, they are very nice.I felt like I had come out of a cave and been greeted by a grumpy bear, and very bright lights. I needed my wits about me, but they were nowhere to be seen.

‍After all the paperwork was finished, the man asked me where my car was. I perked up at that. I had parked it in front of the garage door that had the big sign TIRES on it. Brilliant. When I told him where it was he gave me that look again and said, “You can’t park in front of those doors!”

I apologized, but he had already stormed out to move my car.  

Later that morning, my husband and I were sitting in the car having breakfast. We had parked in a school parking lot and were enjoying the beautiful grounds. A man walked by who looked like he belonged there. At first, I thought he might come over and ask us to move, but he didn’t. Instead, he nodded to us and smiled a shy smile, looking down.

A small thing, true, but so natural, so indicative of a good heart. My husband said, “He’s a coach, bet you anything.” I said, “Lucky kids.”

I now feel sorry for the man at the tire store. For one thing, he lost a customer. For another, I now wonder why he was so angry and, thus, rude to a stranger.

Our innermost thoughts become outward actions. We all know this. The man who walked in front of our car was happy, centered, generous and so his response touched our day in a tangible way. As a blessing.

I will try to remember this when I am annoyed or tired or cross. I may not succeed, but I hope I try.

It reminds me of a poem I love where the author, Mary Baker Eddy, writes,

“If thou the bending reed wouldst break by thought or word unkind, pray that his spirit you partake who loved and healed mankind.”

And in other spot in the same poem she says,“The arrow that doth wound the dove darts not from those who watch and love.”

It’s easy to feel annoyed and surly these days. I do, plenty. In fact, just the other day my husband did something harmless that annoyed me. Fortunately, he had recently shared a bit from a comedian he likes where he said, “My wife and I have a new game. It’s called, “Why do you do it like that?” Nobody wins.”

So I said, “Why do you do it like that?” and we both chuckled. Maybe I should go back and tell the guy at the tire store that joke.

Maybe not.

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