January 2005 The Megaphone Page 7
by Julie (Stout) Crim
Some years ago, while living in Klamath Falls, Oregon, I worked second shift at
the hospital. Christmas season was much like yours this year in Indiana, with
lots of snow and cold temperatures.
After opening presents, eating good things and visiting with my
family on Christmas day, I headed out to work. I left early because of the
roads. Living in the mountains like we did ... really ... back in the mountains
on nothing but a dirt road, I had to be very careful about staying in the tracks
made by other vehicles larger than my little VW Rabbit. On Christmas Eve, we'd
gotten 20 inches of new snow.
There was a hill three quarters of a mile long and I prayed nothing was
coming as I gingerly started down. We had an unwritten law that the vehicle
coming up the hill had the right a way in bad weather. I made it down, going
very slowly. My studded snow tires bit into the snow and ice, held and kept me
safe. Eventually I came to the paved road heading out of the forest. Driving
became easier, thank goodness, the worst part of the trip was over ... or so I
thought. Looking at the clock, I knew I'd make it to work on time.
Twelve miles later, turning on to the highway, it was just a matter of
time and I'd be there. No sweat ... shouldn't have thought that ... no sweat.
This was a four lane highway with one exception. As I approached the city center
exit there was hardly any traffic. Although it was two lanes going my direction,
only the right lane had been plowed.
At the turnoff, one lane exited and the other crossed a two lane bridge.
On the other side of the bridge it became two lanes again in each direction. In
order to go straight, I had to get into the left hand lane, going over bumpy ice
and snow. Well ... I thought I was going slow enough but hindsight is perfect
and I know differently today.
I turned the steering wheel just enough to change into the left hand lane
when the wheels locked. There was nothing I could do but sit there as I saw a huge
cliff in front of me and wondered ... is this it? ... meaning is my life over? I
closed my eyes as the little car left the road and slowly, as if in slow motion,
sunk ... sunk in the snow and stopped!
How close was I to the cliff? Would I tip over if I tried to get
out of the car? Geez, I could have been killed by an on coming truck but there
was no traffic at the moment. This was good and bad. I'd slid across two lanes
of oncoming (no) traffic ... good. Was there no one to see me or my car? And
darn, the person I was to relieve at work would be stuck when they needed to get
home for their Christmas.
I very carefully opened the car door just enough to exit, pushing against
the snow. Standing there and looking around to get my bearings I realized I'd
have to walk into town to a pay phone, call work and then call a friend who had
a truck with a winch. I just hoped I'd get out of there before dark.
The climb up to the road was slow going and soon I stood there catching
my breath and brushing snow off my clothes. Not a car had passed. All was white,
cold and silent in my world at that moment.
And then, as if from no where, came the sound of an engine and the most gorgeous
red pick up truck appeared. It looked just like an overgrown Tonka toy, shiny,
clean and new. The occupants waved and slowly came to a stop before turning
around and slowly coming back to where I stood.
"What are you doing out here? Are you all right? Where's your car? I
think you're someone we've been looking for."
How could that be? I wasn't late yet, they must have thought I was
someone else. Just then the first young man spotted my car and said to the second
young man, "Yep, she's the one we've been looking for." I must say
they were exuberant for they shouted for joy and danced a jig in the snow. What
in the world is going on, I thought to myself.
The quieter one came closer and said he'd gotten a new truck with a winch
for Christmas and he and his friend had been out looking for someone to rescue.
"Would you mind if we pulled your car out of the snow?"
Would I mind?!! Go right ahead! Oh, it was so easy. In only a few minutes
they had the car back on the road and were brushing the snow off of it.
"Now we know," one of them said, "The winch really does work.
What a neat Christmas present!"
They wouldn't tell me their names or take any money. They both agreed
that I had made their day better with the opportunity to try out the new winch.
Love may make the world go 'round but giving and helping comes in a close
second, in my book.
Over the years I've passed that place many time and always remember what
happened there. Maybe there is hope for mankind after all.
JJ/Julie (Stout) Crim '57
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