My car broke down, and so here I sit, stranded in a grocery store parking lot, waiting for the tow truck that will be my savior. I’ve already been here two hours, and the truck driver’s ETA isn’t for another forty-five minutes. My head is pounding from a headache, a sensation that I rarely experience. It’s dreary, dank and chilly on this Saturday afternoon. Thankfully, I caught myself before diving head-first into a full-blown woe-is-me, and so I write this blog. Things can always be worse.

In spite of the circumstances, I am grateful.

I’m grateful for the train that changed the direction I originally planned to travel. Instead of taking a shortcut through a rough part of town, I was on the main thoroughfare when my car’s engine and coolant temperature gauges went off simultaneously, just before the car began to shutter and I lost power altogether.

I’m grateful for remembering to take my cell phone out of the charger before I left the house.

I’m grateful my husband wasn’t bothered by my call for help, and that he didn’t mind calling roadside assistance on my behalf, even though he was in the middle of something at work. And I’m grateful he didn’t give me a hard time for not having my Good Sam membership card.

I’m grateful that I’m safe and secure in a grocery store parking lot while I wait for the tow truck.

I’m grateful for the store’s clean restroom I used.

I’m grateful for the nice man who asked if I needed any help. Turns out he was as avid of a St. Louis Cardinals fan as I am, so we talked about tonight’s World Series game.

I’m grateful I didn’t have any special plans this afternoon.

I’m grateful this happened today, instead of two weeks from now when I plan to be on the interstate on my way to St. Louis.

I’m grateful I had not gone grocery shopping yet. A package of Klondike bars was on the list, and I don’t know if I could have eaten all six of them before they melted. Or I got sick.

I’m grateful the tow truck got my car to the repair shop two minutes before it was to close for the weekend.

I’m grateful for the ice cream shoppe right across the street from the repair shop. I got a double-dip cone to eat while I walked home.

I’m grateful the trees are ablaze in reds, oranges, and golds. They gave me something to marvel at instead of thinking about what might be wrong with the car.

I’m grateful to be home now.

It’s been “one of those days,” but it could have been so much worse. I think I’ll lie down and take a nap now…