by Mike Gallagher
Florida, USA
About 1976, my family and I left North Georgia to spend Christmas in Orlando, Florida, in a 1972 Audi sedan. Our two children, 10 and 12 years old, were with us. The car developed what sounded like an engine miss, so I stopped several times to check under the hood. Except for a worn sparkplug wire, I could find no problems.
We got on the Florida turnpike in Wildwood, but when we got to Orlando, the car quit and wouldn’t restart. It was around 4:00 p.m., traffic was heavy, and we had passed a service area 15 miles back. With darkness under an hour away, I hitchhiked back to the service area, leaving my family in the car. Luckily, I caught a ride right away.
At the service area, I met a wrecker driver named Wendell. I had run the battery down trying to restart the car, but Wendell told me not to worry, he’d take care of it. We left immediately.
Back at the car, we tried to start it in vain. Wendell loaded it on the wrecker and towed it back to the service area. But when we got there, the mechanics had left for the night.
Wendell then towed the car to Wildwood, found us a motel, and dropped the car off at a local garage where he knew the owners. His bill for the several hours he spent with us was only $35.00. Safe for the night and fed from vending machines, my family slept while I sat up all night worrying about the car and how much it would cost to repair.
At first light, I was waiting for the garage to open. When it did, the mechanic got right on his diagnostic process. Wendell stopped by in his pickup truck to see how things were going. It turns out the head had developed a leak and allowed antifreeze into the engine, now necessitating an overhaul. Back in 1976, the closest place to repair an Audi was in Orlando, fifty miles away. All I could think about was a very expensive towing bill and an even more expensive repair.
Wendell kindly went and borrowed a small car trailer, cut a hole in his step bumper to allow for a towing ball, loaded the car on the trailer, and took all of us, plus the car, to the Audi dealer in Orlando. My wife and kids rode in his truck’s front seat while I rode in the car on the trailer, still upset, wondering how I would pay him when we got to Orlando.
When Wendell unloaded the car, he hugged the kids, refused to take even gas money, wished us a Merry Christmas, and drove off towards Wildwood.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:51 — 1.8MB)
I’m a Realtor & this story is so helpful. I’ve been struggling with the decision of a client who’s only financial asset is her condo that she originally entrusted me to sell but this week she told me because of her need to save every dime she’s going to be using a discount brokerage.
Wendell lived with the knowledge that he was serving a higher purpose than just towing a family’s car even if that was what he did for a living. I understand the fear & scarcity of my client & gave her my resources gladly to help her prepare her condo for sale. I am shifting my attitude as I was there when she needed & did the right thing. What my client did or does has little to do with me.
Wendell’s actions are my inspiration today!
In my humble opinion you have the right attitude. You will do just fine in your life. Whenever I help someone, I never expect anything in return, then I’m never disappointed.