I’m not even going to go into it. Suffice it to say that I was in a “state” by 5:15 and had to clean up a mess for an agent who had left town and not left anyone in charge of his deal. I would have to drive about an hour to get a contract for them. Considering the traffic on Friday, and  factoring in the holiday weekend,  I was not happy about it. I was lamenting my state to a friend on the phone when I heard myself say, “I’m so mad, I want to bump motorcycle dudes” as one flew by on the shoulder. She laughed, and yes, I was kidding! By the time I finally got on the tollway, I realized my tank was Empty, and wasn’t sure how long my car had been trying to get my attention by boldly stating “0 mile cruising range!”

It was insult to injury and since I drive a hybrid, it’s verboten to run out of gas… something about having to take it to the dealer to reset something. I got off at the first exit thinking there was a gas station on the far side of the highway. I sat through a long light. I got to the far side, and there it was, but there was no driveway from the side road to the station. ARGHHHH! I hopped the curb, drove through the vacant lot (not the first one to do it… somewhat of a dirt path) only to roll up to the pump and find them broken. WHAT????

The next closest station was a mile or two away through many stop signs and lights. With no choice I headed that way. Miracle of miracles, I made it. I got gas. I was stressed and annoyed. This was freaking ridiculous. I walked into the store for a fully leaded, fully sugared soda.

At the register, the friendly cashier asked if I’d like to donate a dollar to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. I just said, “NO!” As soon as I heard my own voice and inflection I felt terrible. Who just said that? Wow! So I said, “You know what? I’ve had a sh*tty day. I need to do something nice. Of course I will donate a dollar.” Man, I thought, there are worse things than this silly client issue. He laughed and said, “You know it will only get better from here.” I smiled. As I hit the door I heard, “Have a Good Friday evening!”

I got in the car, turned up the tunes and sucked down that sugar. Within two miles, I was singing along and totally back to my happy self. That tight feeling in my chest and shoulders had magically disappeared.

I was given a gift. I was given the opportunity to put it in perspective, open up, let it go and get on with it. Thank you cashier man for being the little catalyst I needed to have a Good Friday after all. That was a dollar well donated.

Be Good.