We live in a cynical world. Growing up nowadays, I think kids hear more of "there is no such thing as a free lunch" rather than "the best things in life are free".That quote, by the way, went on to list things that are priceless: hugs, smiles, friends, family, love...
Last Saturday must have been my lucky day. For in the course of a mere ten hours, I was repeatedly shown unexpected kindness by strangers and loved ones alike.
First, after lunch, D and I brought the car to get the side mirror fixed, to our neighbourhood service station at the petrol kiosk. The mechanic fumbled at it for awhile, then used some pliers and 5 minutes later, it's all reattached. Good as new! And when I offered to pay him, he declined saying its a simple job. You bet that with this earnest gesture he has now earned my loyalty as a customer!
I should tell you about this mirror: this side mirror is special because it got scratched, as a 3-month old car no less, on the wall of the porch of Opus Dei house through some 'too close to call' parking. And on Friday, I took too sharp a turn into the left lane exiting the Havelock Road CTE tunnel and rubbed against the side of a passing truck. This very mirror got clipped. The glass snapped off. Landed in the drain between the hood and the windscreen. The Fullerton Hotel where I parked was a km away so I managed to park and retrieve this miraculously uncracked mirror. I do think the adjective is aptly used here :-)
The weather these days are oppressively hot. In fact, nearly the hottest ever based on official records. Just shy of 37 degrees one day last week. So, imagine my relief when the sun was hidden away by clouds in the late afternoon, which quickly got me to put my running shoes on. I was having to travel on Sunday which means I can't do the usual circuit when M is at her Aikido class, so if I was to reach my target of running 365kms this year, I have to run at least once this week. And off I went and in less than 10 minutes, the clouds let out. Huge tropical rain poured from above. I was only a km into my run and decided to continue. The rain didn't let up and in fact got heavier with lightning and thunder of biblical proportions crackling all around me. I thought the better of my run and I turned around. As I was running back, not just one but two cars who passed by (the only two by the way) stopped to offer me a ride. I declined but am so heartened by three strangers (the first car was a couple) who were prepared to wet their car seats for me.
I did manage to get home safely having covered 4.6kms in 30mins and changed to receive old friends, P&M and then L&S, whom we were hosting for the night. Over dinner we chatted and laughed, and after dessert the boys went downstairs and listened to P's vinyls (songs of our youth), drank whisky and played pool. That what friends are for. Oh by the way, did I mention that friendship comes free. Priceless
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