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Those who know me well, know that things happen to me that don't happen to other people. Let me give you a prime example: we're touring my friend's lab at Harvard. At the time, we were in Boston checking out colleges for our youngest. My friend, the Bobster, and my daughter all went through the turnstile fine. I get halfway through and it stops. They keep walking and talking and there I am, stuck. And as I get ready to yell for help, which I am well versed in doing since I've needed to on several ocassions, a security guard came over.
Security Guard: "I have worked here for 20 years and nothing like this has ever happened before. It's going to take a second."
Me: "That's fine. I'm not going anywhere, apparently."
I've also been at subway and train stations where everyone's ticket worked but mine and I couldn't get out. I just want to say that people who are employed to help people like me, just need to be kind. I don't know why my ticket doesn't work even when it has money on it. There are wackadoos out there in the world and on any given day, I have the potential to be one of them. I'm just trying to #ramblebamble through life the best I can.
I must admit that my most recent mishap was my fault. I was pulling out of the garage near the public safety building downtown and saw a sign that said "Credit | Monthy Card" and I thought it meant you could use either at this exit. So I put in my ticket, and then my credit card and then realized that my credit card was not coming back out without intervention. I am well versed in the intercom systems in garages as I have had to use them several times. #itsapattern I threw on my hazards on so people would not use the lane and then someone pulled behind me anyway and I got out to tell her the error of my ways.
She was upset with me and believed that she couldn't get out of the garage because all she had was her monthly pass. I shared my apologies and that she could still use the other lane. Just then, a young twenty something girl came up and I kid you not-- this is what her t-shirt said:
"Jesus Saves but I Might Be Able to Help."
And she walked up to me and asked if she could help! She basically tried everything I already did, including hitting the button again, which made the operator remind me that I needed to be patient.
And then, that sweet girl said, "I guess I can't help you today but I hope you still have a good day." And I told her it was a joy that she even stopped to help and I thanked her. I wondered who she was and what she did and how many times has stopped and helped people. (For the record, I decided I should help people in different ways that don't have anything to do with mechanical arms or turnstiles.)
Eventually, the parking garage attendant walked up and said, "I can help you, I just need you to move your car back a little bit." Those words, "I can help you" were music to my soul. I am sure she has dealt with many panicked people in her day and knew to say those words first.
She did whatever needed to be done and told me she would leave the gate open so I didn't have to worry about backing up and using the other lane to pay. I thanked her profusely and as I started to drive away I said, "I shall go and sin no more!" And, she laughed, really, really loud.
Sometimes it's my fault and sometimes these mishaps just happen to me, so much so, that I consider myself a veteran. When the chaos comes, I breathe deeply, remember that God is ever present and look for what He is showing or teaching me.
From this experience:
read carefully and look at both lanes. Had I seen that the other lane had more of what looked like an ATM, I would have chosen that one.
There are people who walk the earth and they are not afraid to step in and try to help even when they have somewhere else to be, even when they have no idea what they are doing either.
It's probably best that I don't use any type of public transportation by myself.
I'm not sure what unplanned adventure awaits you but let me assure you that if you are ever trapped in a turnstyle or behind a mechanical arm, you do get out. While I would never choose some of these paths I seem to travel on, I'm grateful for lessons learned on the other side!
So, has anything like this ever happened to you?
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