This is a story of an unlimited kindness that was shown to me some years ago. Mandy relates this unforgettable experience.
It was in the summer break of year 2000. I dropped my two kids 6 and 3 as usual with my mum to go to work. It was a pay day, and after the day’s work, I went to the bank to collect the stipend from my civil servants salary. I did some grocery and toy shopping for my kids. I always wanted them to have a swell time when I get paid. With a lot of enthusiasm, they looked forward to getting home to play with their new toys and ate some candies, shortbread and many more. I drove my old cherry car to pick them up around 6.30 PM, and we headed home.
On a good day, the journey would take about an hour as I live in a suburb. As I merged onto a major highway in a busy metropolitan city of West Africa, the unthinkable happened. I was in the middle lane on the side that exited the city. The car suddenly stopped. What could that be! I thought. I didn’t know what to do. It was very dangerous as cars were speeding from left and right. In about 2 minutes, some three guys referred to as ” the area boys” showed up from nowhere to help, at least to push the car off the road to safety. My son of 6 years started crying. One of the 3 guys immediately said” it’s a timing chain problem” I thought to myself ” is he a mechanic” I did not disagree with his statement, neither did I agree. One of them went and brought with him a road side mechanic. The fear of a road side mechanic in this city back then was the beginning of wisdom, but I did not have any choice. The mechanic came and said the same. A car Timing chain was not an easy fix. As we were deliberating on what to be done, I heard someone called out my name from the other side of the road, the side that goes into the city. It was one of my colleagues and a friend, Ada. She was driving home. She shouted” Do not allow any road mechanic, I will go and bring my good mechanic” After about half an hour, she came with an apprentice mechanic because her mechanic was too busy to come. At this time, I had to pay some token to the area boys and the road side mechanic who I told to hands-off immediately Ada arrived with her mechanic.
The apprentice said it was a different issue. The trial and error kind of car diagnostics usually done by our mechanics is not comparable to what exist in other parts of the world. From contact set to battery to alternator etc., none of his solution worked. It was about 7.30 pm now, we were all getting exhausted, and another colleague of ours drove past. Ada stopped and asked him for help. He said he could not help because he was getting late for his part time long distance learning. He drove away.
It was dark now, and we could not still figure out what was wrong with the car. In a few minutes, I looked up and noticed from a distance, my company’s staff bus, the one that terminated in the suburb where I lived. The thought that first came to my mind was to abandon this old rickety car and join the staff bus with my kids who were hungry and tired. As I was thinking aloud, I just spoke out and this conversation ensued
Me: Oh my God, look at the staff bus.
Ada: Is it the one that plied to your area.
Me: Yes
Ada: Please pick your bags, get ready with your children, and I will waive it down for you.
Me: I couldn’t believe my ears. Really!
Ada: Yes, she repeated emphatically.
Me: How could I leave you here with my car trouble and go?
Ada: Do not worry! Just come to my house tomorrow. Whatever the situation, I will tow it from here to my house.
Me: I was so emotional, because I felt this was an unusual limitless kindness. I thanked her greatly with a warm hug.
My kids were happy as we hopped on the staff bus. As we were going home, I cannot stop thinking of this help from Ada. She was a wonderful human being who would go extra mile to help anyone. We got home safely, but very late. I went to her house the following morning with my mechanic who did the correct diagnosis and guess what: Timing Chain issue” Lessons learnt
- No matter what, some people will stand by you come rain come shine. Ada is one of those and she does this to everyone. Appreciate them if you have people like this.
- Do not prejudge. The road side mechanic was right, but because of my prejudice, did not give him a chance. if I did, we would not have been there for so long. Give people a chance to prove themselves.
- Sometimes, you may not be able to help, but still show some empathy. The other colleague of ours did not show care at all. He made us feel that his own thing was more important to him. Do not be self centered. You may need somebody’s help soon.
- Those area boys rendered a great help by pushing the car off the road, and also getting a mechanic. If given the opportunity in our society, they could make themselves more useful to others. Maybe a free vocational school could better their lives. If you can, please help and give someone the opportunity
Folks! Show some level of care and empathy, even when you cannot really help. May God bless Ada and make all her aspiration s realized by His grace amen. May God bless us and make us a blessing for others.
May God meet us all at the point of our needs amen.
