Apparently, a full squadron of angels is deployed on the nation’s highways every winter. How else do you explain this story from Claudia Scott or the following story from Amy Brady of Charlotte North Carolina, which appeared in the January 2012 issue of Guideposts.
THE MYSTERIOUS MECHANIC
A policewoman, stranded on an empty interstate highway on Christmas, receives some very unexpected assistance
There’s one good thing about being on the road Christmas Day, I thought, driving from my parents’ house in Richmond, Virginia, back to Charlotte, North Carolina. No traffic. I’d barely seen another car on the interstate all day.
Most people were home with their families. But not me. I was a policewoman, new enough on the force that I didn’t get a choice of shifts. I’d managed to score time off Christmas Eve, but I had to be back on duty tonight.
My sergeant made it clear: “Be here for roll call before the midnight shift.” It was a four-hour drive to my parents’ house; I’d only had time to eat dinner and exchange gifts before I hit the road again.
Near the Carolina state line, my car started to cough. First a hiccup, then a full-blown hack. I pulled off at the next exit. Two-thirds of the way up the ramp, the engine died. What do I do now?
I got out and looked around. There was a service station down the road, closed for the holiday. I could call a tow truck, but who was available on Christmas Day?
What if I didn’t make it in time for my shift? My sergeant would never believe that I hadn’t been waylaid by eggnog and Christmas cookies.
Just then a lone car approached on the interstate. A blue El Camino. Haven’t seen one of those in years. The driver slowed and pulled off next to me. He rolled down his window. “I’m the mechanic. What seems to be the problem?”
I couldn’t believe my luck! I explained how the car died. In less than three minutes the man popped the distributor cap, opened the points, cleaned the contacts and told me to try starting the engine. My car roared to life.
“Thank you!” I said, offering him the money in my wallet.
The man shook his head. “No charge on Christmas. Good thing I was in my shop when you called.”
My eyes went wide. “I didn’t call. I’d just broken down when you pulled up.”
“I guess the driver who called is farther down the interstate. Better find her.” He got in his car and drove off.
I got on the road too. Only when I was back in Charlotte—well before roll call—did it occur to me: I’d passed plenty of mile markers and exits farther down the interstate, but I never did see the disabled car that had summoned the mechanic.
HOW TO SUPPORT THIS BLOG AT NO EXPENSE TO YOU
Just click here or click on the photo of my book on my homepage every time you go to Amazon to make any purchase on Amazon. Thank you so much!
ABOUT PHIL BOLSTA
Phil is the author of Sixty Seconds: One Moment Changes Everything, a collection of 45 inspiring, life-changing stories from prominent people he interviewed, including Joan Borysenko, Deepak Chopra, geneticist Dr. Francis Collins, acclaimed sportswriter Frank Deford, Dr. Larry Dossey, Wayne Dyer, Dan Millman, Caroline Myss, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, Dr. Bernie Siegel, James Van Praagh, singer Billy Vera, Doreen Virtue, Neale Donald Walsch, and bassist Victor Wooten.
Here is a three-minute video that introduces you to Phil and his book. Click here to buy Sixty Seconds. Click here to ask Phil to add you to his e-mail list for updates on his blog and books.
Reading this book is like spending a few minutes face to face with each of the contributors and listening to their personal stories. Click here to read unsolicited testimonials from readers. Learn more by visiting the official Sixty Seconds website.
Sixty Seconds was one of three finalists in the General Interest/How-To category at the 12th annual Visionary Awards presented by COVR (Coalition of Visionary Resources) in Denver on June 27, 2009.
