I got the emergency call about an hour before the end of my shift yesterday. The weather outside was at its lowest point of the day, with gusting winds adding to the bitter cold. I knew it was trouble—my wife never calls while I'm working unless it’s an emergency. It was the worst-case scenario: she was stranded on the side of the road on her way home.
Fortunately, the engine stopped in front of a gas station. Unfortunately, the station was about to close when she called, and there were no other businesses nearby where she could seek shelter. With temperatures this low, frostbite can occur within 20 minutes.
I rushed off to pick her up, knowing that time was of the essence. When I arrived, I saw a pool of oil under her SUV. Darkness was setting in fast, and the gas station had already posted its closed sign. We were in the middle of a nightmare.
That’s when my wife showed her quick thinking. “Take me to BJ’s, and I’ll drop off the key so my vehicle can be towed to the dealership. They’ll work on it ASAP.” I was amazed at how calm she remained under immense pressure, stranded in the worst weather we’ve seen this year.
Today, we’ll be ride-sharing to keep our commitments. As of this writing, the temperatures remain in the danger zone—it feels like -28º with the wind chill. With just one vehicle, there’s no safety net if we face another road challenge.
Please send good thoughts to my family today. The bright side? Temperatures may climb into the 50s next week. Stay warm and have a great day!
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