A Very Long Day

Well, last night I accepted a job to work today at F.E. Madill, the high school in Wingham. This morning as I showered and got ready for work I listened intently, hoping the school would be cancelled and I wouldn't have to drive up in the storm.

Sure enough at 7:50 I got a phone call cancelling my assignment. Then at 8 am I got another call offering me a new assignment at the public school in Goderich. At least it was a shorter drive, and I'd been to the school before and really enjoyed the class. I accepted.

So I headed out right away, giving me more than enough time to get to Goderich, even with the slippery roads and poor visibility. Then, halfway up to Goderich on highway 8 my windshield wipers STOPPED WORKING. Yeah, that's right...stopped right in the middle of the windshield. I didn't panic right away...I could still see the road, for a few moments at least. I quickly realized that I had to get my van off the highway as soon as possible. I meant to pull over at a farmhouse, but missed the driveway (I had my side window down and was trying to see out the side....snow blowing in onto my glasses). I was finally able to pull into a driveway, thank the Lord there was nothing coming the other way because I couldn't see a blessed thing in front of me. I had to get off the highway quickly because there was a line of cars behind me.

I sat in my van and tried everything to get my wipers working again. Then I started to get nervous and I didn't know what to do. Here I was at some strange house. I had CAA, but no phone (our phone ran out of minutes while I was in Colombia). I also didn't know whether to call CAA since I didn't need a tow, but I knew I couldn't drive the van to Goderich when I couldn't see. I said a little prayer that the owners of the house would 1: be home and 2: not be mass murderers and I knocked on the door. After knocking several times a nice woman answered the door (probably about my age), she had her hands full, obviously trying to get her kids ready for school...kids were crying and the big black dog was barking at me (have I ever told you that dogs make me really nervous??). Anyway, she was nice and gave me her phone.

So there I was. I called home first, but I knew I wouldn't be able to reach Joel for at least 15 minutes because he was taking Izzy to the bus stop. I was kicking myself for not bringing the school's phone number along (I had the Wingham school's number all set to go, and had planned to pick up a phone card before heading out...but didn't have time before leaving for Goderich).

I felt horrible because I had to trouble her for a phone book. Wouldn't you know it, the stupid thing didn't have the school phone number in it (why is it that school numbers are so hard to find???). It was a small local book that had no yellow pages. I had to bother her again to see a different book. Finally I had the school number and I called them to let them know that I would be late. Then I called home, over, and over, and over.

Finally about 8:45 (when I should have been starting work), Joel answered. He was awesome. He said he'd head out and we could swap vehicles. I was so relieved. I thanked the woman and headed out to wait in the van.

By the time Joel got there the snow had stopped, but I knew if a truck drove by the other way and splashed slush on my windshield I'd never be able to see. My knight in shining armour showed up and traded vehicles and I was on my way again. I got to work at 9:30 am.

The rest of the day was pretty good. Worked in a classroom with kids with developmental disabilities (which I really enjoy...except for when I got kicked in the face today while trying to get one of the kids dressed to go out for recess). The joys of supply work :)

I'm grateful that God was looking after me today. I have to say that I'm exhausted though and need to head to bed. Hopefully I'll write more about my Adventures in Colombia tomorrow. Believe me, sitting in that van in the snowsquall was making me wish I was back in 35 degree temps again. What is it I said about living in the moment??? Boy, sometimes it can be REALLY HARD!!

Mel