I Should Have Worn Better Shoes to Face the Day

Have you ever had one of moments in life where you shake your head and think, “Well I certainly wasn’t expecting that to happen today?” One that stands out in my mind happened when my mother and I were chit-chatting as we drove down a busy road in San Antonio, Texas. I was driving us home from movie together when suddenly several cars collided in front of us.

I was far enough behind the cars and we easily avoided the accident. We pull over behind the accident to see if anyone needed help. As I got out of the car I noticed that one of the vehicles was still in motion.

I sprinted to catch up to the moving vehicle. I ran beside the car and yelled into the open window for the driver to put her foot on the brakes. She sat limp in the driver’s seat, dazed and unmoving. Her hands were not on the steering wheel and the car was moving quickly off the side of the road. I repeatedly yelled to her and banged on the side of her car to jolt her out of her fog. But she didn’t respond. Her foot was on the accelerator and soon she would end up going off the side of the road.

Before I could think about it I had flung her car door open and jumped onto her lap. I put enough pressure on the brakes to counteract her foot on the gas and steered us to safety. Once we were out of harm’s way I slammed on the brakes, put the car into park and lifted her leg off the gas pedal. Despite the fact that I had literally sat right on top of her and over taken her car she still did not react. As I climbed off of her the emergency responders were approaching her car.

I handed her over to the experts and we gave our statements to the police before driving home. My adrenaline was still on overdrive but it made me think about the fact that my plans for the evening had only been to see a movie with my mother. I had not planned in the morning to sprint down Military Highway and jump into the lap of a driver in a moving vehicle. If I had planned ahead for it I would have worn better shoes.

Some days are like that. We start out with a short to-do list that cascades into a mountain of tasks, crisis and chores. Often I think, “I should have worn better shoes” as I collapse at the end of the day. I think those occasion happen most often when I allow Sometimes life to go on autopilot and miss the obstacles that sometimes life puts in the way.

I’ve learned that the best attitude to face each day is one of expectation combined with a healthy dose of flexibility, faith and action. How about you? Have you ever had one of those days that end with the thought, “I should have worn better shoes!”