In every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. --I Thessalonians 4:14
I like my routine. Tuesday when my normal Interstate ramp was blocked off coming home from work, I was frazzled and scared. I am not good with directions and driving in new places. I just kept going but finally thought I better get off so I did and wound up in a neighborhood I was unfamiliar with. I didn’t know what to do so I called Karen on my cell phone at 4:30 p.m., the time I am usually home. Fortunately, she wasn’t busy at work at that time. Our conversation went something like this:
G: I’M IN TROUBLE! I’M LOST! I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO!
K: Okay, calm down. Where are you?
G: I don’t know!
K: Look for a street sign. Can you see what street you’re on?
G: Lorain and W. 110.
K: Is that near where we used to play softball?
G: I don’t know.
K: Do you see any I-480 sign around?
G: No.
K: Let me go find a map and I’ll call you back. (got map from the library at work)
Hang up.
G: Maybe I’ll just drive around.
K: No, don’t do that.
G: Maybe you could come for me.
K: I could I suppose, but let me look at the map and I’ll tell you which way to go. Can you look for an address that is near you? I could check MapQuest.
G: 11012 Lorain—Sam’s Furniture.
K: Okay. (I try putting it in MapQuest and of course they want a zip code. I'm thinking I don’t have time for this, I have to get out of here at 5:00. I’ll just go with the map.) Oh, forget MapQuest. Okay honey, you are close to Denison. Just go up a little ways, the OPPOSITE direction of W. 111, W. 112, W. 113, and make a right on Denison. It will take you to Pearl Rd. near the bridge by the zoo.
Hang up.
G: I found Denison.
K: Good, I’ll bring the map with me. Give me a call when you get a chance to let me know where you’re at. (Copied map so I could take on bus with me, just in case).
Hang up.
G: I’m at W 48.
K: Good, you’re almost to Pearl then.
Hang up.
G: I see I-71—should I get on there?
K: NO, just stay on Denison, it will take you right to Pearl.
Hang up.
G: I’m on State Rd.! (street our street is off of, practically home)
K: Yay!
I was so relieved and happy to be home. Abby gave me a huge welcome and we went for our walk and met Karen at the bus stop as usual. Karen suggested I take our GPS for emergencies like this but I’m afraid someone would steal it, especially where I work. I wouldn’t want to keep it in the car or carry it around with me at work all day. Besides, I can just call Karen.
Thank God that we have cell phones for such times as this!
Thank God that Karen was still at work where she had access to a map!
Thank God the map was available and she wasn't busy at the time!
Thank God for Karen!!!!!!!
If you missed Part 1 of Whoa! Where Am I? see the previous post about Karen's experience just the day before mine.
Were you ever lost . . . on your way home from work?
Tweet This
7 comments:
Daisy's "mom":
I am very scared of getting lost while driving one day, and also of getting a flat tire. I have to drive on the Sawgrass Expressway and then the Florida Turnpike which are big, busy highways, and then go on a bunch of surface streets. When I was interviewing for this job, I made TWO trips there in advance, just to make sure I could find my way there okay.
"Besides, I can just call Karen."
Indeed you can! She is AWESOME!!! I'm the same way with getting lost. I never leave without my GPS now. It is my best friend on the road :)
Gerard, you are such a great blogger! I was in suspense the entire time!
Thank God, indeed! There's a sentence in Proverbs that says, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from God and man."
:)
I agree, thank God you had Karen to help you find your way home! Maybe you should take the GPS though just in case even if you have to keep it in your trunk or under your seat and only get it out when you're lost.
I was without my phone because the old one died and I couldn't yet get a new one, and of course that's the day I get lost on the way to the dentist. I actually managed to find a pay phone and I had the necessary 50 cents!
But I call my husband all the time freaking out because I don't know where I am. I really need to get a local road map.
Daisy: Sounds like you have quite a trek to and from work. I don't blame you for making two trial runs.
Kathy: Thanks for saying I'm awesome. You are very kind. I like my GPS--Gerard is the one who bought it for me. I'm pretty good with maps but it's hard to read a map while driving and if you don't know where you are, they are no help at all! We got lost together real good only twice--before GPS days. I can do without those kinds of adventures.
Mrs. Mecomber: Glad you enjoyed this post. I actually wrote it though but from Gerard's point of view. I ran it by him first though to ask him if it was okay to post and if he had anything add or change. I am happy to be his helpmate.
Beaded Tail: It's not really a good idea to keep valuables in your car though, at least not in Cleveland. Maybe Oregon is different.
Christa Terry: Good thing you were able to find a pay phone. I don't see many of those around anymore. I like the maps that come in the little red & yellow booklets by county. They are easier to read and you don't have to spend 5 minutes figuring out how to fold it back up.
I haven't read part one yet but Gerard, I'm with you. I love routine and I don't like being lost either.
Karen is sure terrific in so many ways!!!
Post a Comment