Mubaan Samphan Jet...

Although Thailand is a thought that is constantly on the forefront of my mind, I know that I must carry on with life here in the now. Because this is where I am for the moment, and this is where I must be in every aspect of my being. And it is in being here that I have found blessings in the midst of, what some may call, trying times.

For those of you who have read Lynnette's blog, there is an irony in the similarity of our stories, and the fact that they happened around the exact same time. Must be the season for bad brakes (or for mistaking them as such). Last Monday I went into Calgary on my own to spend a bit of time with me, and to reflect and think and be alone. It was normal enough...a jaunt to the mall, a necissary morning latte, and the token trip to the asian supermarket which always results in me giving out my email address to yet another person that I meet. I am beginning to realise that this is just the way in the asian culture. It is not creepy to want someone's contact information upon first being introduced.

Anyway, I got into my car, started the engine and put my foot on the brake, and as I did so something seemed to pop and my brake went all the way to the floor. This was not a comforting feeling.I am in the middle of the city of Calgary with what I think to be a broken brake. I'm no mechanic, but at least I have the sense to know when something's not right. I still had a bit of brakes...I could stop, but only with much force applied to the pedal, so I decided to attempt finding a garage. As I was stopped at a red light I noticed something out of the corner of my eye...the woman in the car beside me was frantically waving her arms and pointing at my front, right tire. I got out to find out what it was she was flailing about for and she proceeded to tell me that my wheel was wobbling badly, then she said, "You can drive on it, but take it home and get your hubby to look at it".

I remember feeling at the exact moment a cacophony of emotion. Absolute terror being one, as I imagined my entire front axle breaking in two, spinning out of control killing about 10 people, and then I die. And absolute elation being another...SHE SAID I HAD A HUBBY!!!!!!! For once in my life I appeared to be my age. In the eyes of this woman, I was an adult.

About one minute later I was stopped at another intersection sobbing quietly on the phone to my dad. He's the hero. He came in and got me!

Now here is where the blessing comes in...after this happened I had no idea how I was going to pay for everything, but I took it into the shop anyway. I got my car back and I got the bill and I only owed $44.95. I couldn't believe it!!! They totally and completely gave me the repairs. Praise God!!!

But like Lynnette, I decided to get a cell phone...I bit the bullet and got myself a little brain cancer machine.