"You Need a Mechanic"

A couple of days ago I did a thing...

See the starter on my van has been on it's way out for a while and I knew, had it on my to do list to get it done, but life has been busy and so I am just very thankful to God that He didn't let it fail until we were parked in a parking lot a block from our house. *smile*

I am grateful to the man who picked up the new starter for me and allowed me to borrow a jack even though we aren't always seeing eye-to-eye, it looked good on him to make sure that his kiddos had a ride to get to appointments.

I am grateful to the woman who came over to help watch the kids so that they weren't having to wait in the van while I fixed it. I mean, I could've juggled the kids and fixing my van with the help of car seat straps and tablets (since it wasn't too hot), but it was MUCH less stressful to be able to focus on just the one thing! Plus, the kids had much more fun! *smile*

I am grateful to the man who was confident enough to not only let me fix the van by myself, but also not criticize how I did it or refuse to help me in the way I asked for and needed the help. So many guys I know would be offended by simply being a spotter and handing the woman the tools/parts as requested, but he wasn't - and I am SO grateful for that! It was also such a plus that he didn't give me a hard time about talking, pleading, or threatening my van if she didn't cooperate with me. lol

Oh... and did I mention that the aforementioned guy had absolutely no problem letting my son know that he was simply there to help and that Mommy quite likely knew more about how to fix the van than he did. That was so nice as my oldest has been on a kick that Mommy can't fix things... even though I have fixed more things than the kiddo knows... and it would have been so easy for this guy to simply accept the credit from my son, but he didn't and that was SO nice!

Honestly, that was even nicer than discreetly congratulating me in his own special way - despite the grease on my face and in my hair... though that was pretty sweet too. *grin*

I am very grateful to the man (my Dad) who taught me how to take things apart and instilled a level of grit and determination in me that allows me to be as independent as I am. That cowboy taught me how to be a cowgirl... when things get tough, you just figure out how to get tougher because no one is going to come rescue you - that is just a fairy tale. *smile*

I am very grateful to the special lady (my Mom) who taught me that grace is just as important as grit... and that asking for help doesn't make you weak or less independent - everyone needs help sometimes and that it doesn't take away from my accomplishment to have received help from my village. *smile*

My accomplishment? I changed the starter (mostly) by myself in the parking lot! Including research time, jacking the van up (twice due to a storm interrupting me), locating the starter, taking it out, putting the new one in, and making sure that all bolts and nuts were tightened appropriately... the project only took me 3 hours. It'd probably have taken longer without the help from my friend who watched the kids and the friend who handed me parts and tools as needed, but I'm sure proud of myself for doing as much as I did do!

My body is still telling me that it was a terrible idea for me to try and do it by myself, but hey, my wallet is very grateful for the savings and being able to say that I changed my own starter has sure given me a boost of confidence! *smile* Thank you to my village for all of the support that you give to me (and others)! I only hope that I return the same back to you!

Even though my life is not always the easiest, I am very thankful to be able to say that God has sent me the answers that I have needed in His time and I pray that He sends each of you the answers in your path as well. His help in making sure that the starter didn't fail until I was within walking distance of my home and ensuring that it was on a cool enough day for me to be out fixing it without risking getting overheated was very much appreciated. *smile*