When Life Gives You Rotten Lemons

There is no better way to start the day than by having your car towed.

I went to run a few errands early this morning, you know, to be responsible and to get ahead of the crowd. I was determined to make this day mine by organizing funds, working out and taking my lovely girlfriend out to dinner.

However, I soon saw a bunch of cars being towed in downtown Columbus. I really didn't think too much of it except for "Man, wouldn't that suck to be that person?" All of a sudden, someone said to me "If you're parked over there, you better go move. It's street sweeping day."

I panicked. Look outside. Car was gone. So I ran outside.

Saw my poor little car being put on a truck. I asked the driver what the next step was. He was rather rude to me and said "There ain't nothing you can do now, buddy. If you gimme $20 I'll drive you back to the lot. You got 30 seconds."

He gave me roughly four before taking off with my car.

After talking to other drivers, one drove me to the lot and I spent the $200 or so to get my car back. But then, as Murphy's Law would have it, my key would not turn. Over the years, my key has been stripped and it won't work anymore. My girlfriend is the only one with the other key. Thank God she was only 20 minutes away and she had my spare with her or else I'd still be out there.

Here's where my day turns brighter. While screaming my lungs out in rage against my car, I decided to ask another driver for help. Not only did he give a true attempt at fixing it, but he also let me charge my dead phone in his truck. I let him know that Sarah wasn't going to be there for an hour so he let me go on a run with him.

The journalist in me considered this a ride-along.

For an hour, we had an absolutely fantastic conversation about life, jobs and the stupid people that inhabit our society. He told me that, for being 22 years old, I'm actually doing very well for myself. He told me of stories when people would get violent with him over having their vehicles towed. He told me about his mess ups and other peoples' mishaps.

We picked up a Dodge Ram from a private lot for not paying for parking and he gave me a ride back.

This conversation was enlightening. It gave my day hope of not being ruined. I learned today. I listened to a dude who really just wanted to be listened to.

There is a beauty through struggle, but you've got to find it. It's not always so clear. Sure, I could have went crazy on the tow drivers, but what would that have gotten me? Absolutely nothing. If anything, it would have hindered the process of moving on with my life.

Yeah, I'm out $193 for the day, but worse things could have happened. Sarah having that key saved me about $200 on getting a new key and a new ignition switch, so everything washes out and I'm not truly out too much.

When life gives you a rotten lemon, take it to the grocery store and talk produce with the employees. Who knows, maybe you'll make someone's day. Maybe you will waste your time.

One thing is for sure, you'll learn something about lemons, but even more about humans.




Note: Alan from the towing agency, you're the man. Thanks for making this hardship into something of value. I learned today and I hope you had a better day because of the ride along. Also, I'm still going to take her out tonight! Thanks again.