A variety of details combined to make this day memorable.
I was given the opportunity to accompany my wife to the eye doctor. In our case, that means driving an hour down the road, over the border and into Oyen, Alberta.
In the best of all worlds this was to have been a short trip – 3 1/2 hours at the most. The reason for my being there was to drive her home – drops used in the testing of her eyes meant she was sensitive to light.
I must admit, I was a bit grumpy. I had been tired on the way and even weaved a bit on the road. Not good!
Then, the eye wear sales pitch was a bit strong. While neither my wife or I wanted bold glasses, the fashion of the day (and the inclination of the salesclerk) were towards that end. We held our ground and left 3/4 of a thousand dollars cheaper (for eye wear and examination).
The road home went well until we heard a beep. And another. And the heat gauge plummeted to the top. After four or five attempts, turning off the car, driving slowly, watching the gauge, turning off the car and repeating once again, the Flaxcombe hill arrived. We coasted down to the bottom and glided in to the only gas station for miles around.
After putting in some antifreeze, we sat down for a cinnamon bun (great – baked that morning!). After a few minutes, and another examination of the engine, we headed up the other side of the Flaxcombe hill. At the top the gauge started to rise.
I turned the car off and coasted until we were slowly crawling along. By popping the clutch we started once again and the temperature gauge remained steady at a reasonable heat.
O, I forgot to mention that we removed the cardboard in front of the radiator when we got down the Flaxcombe hill. My guess is that this solved our overheating problem.
As we drove into town, I asked to be dropped off at our local heritage manor where a friend is fighting cancer. His pain patches have been increased, his sibling is trying to be brave but his composure belied his concern. I weep as I walk home.
As I returned home, I realized that life is seldom what we expect. But it is what God plans.