Veteran expresses thanks to couple for stopping to help a stranded motorist
Like divine angelic intervention, I was saved from what seemed like the beginning of a nightmare. I was on my way, in my truck, to Captain Cook, and just before the turn off to the Old Kona Industrial area, my clutch became disabled. I had enough inertia to make it to Kaiwi Street. I rolled downhill and even made it through the first stop sign, to finally stop.
I pressed down on the clutch to see if there was any pressure, and the pedal hit the floor — zero pressure. I called my mobile mechanic who said he’d be down in a little bit. I hung out with the truck because it wasn’t completely off the street in a safe place. The gears were locked, it wouldn’t move.
After a while, a lady inquired if I needed help. I said someone’s coming, mahalo for asking. She said she saw my veteran license plate and said we like to take care of our veterans. I thanked her again and got back to waiting.
An hour passes and she and her husband are back. “Still waiting, huh? Well, let us help you,” she insists. Her husband introduces himself and tells me about his friends that are mechanics right across the street, next to Island Naturals. Gaylene, the lady from the VFW, stays with me while her husband, Marlin, crosses the street to talk to his mechanic friends.
Moments later, he’s back with one of the mechanics in a truck to tow me across the street to their shop. We all talk story for a short bit. I call off my friend’s trip down to help. Marlin and Gaylene say they’ll take me home — to Kalaoa.
I’m dazed by this near blinding display of aloha. I told them, “You’re angels — I swear — you’re angels!” We have a great talk on the ride home. They say they’ll be in touch with me on the status of my truck. We part, in front of my house, with hugs.
Next morning, I get a phone call. “We’re bringing your truck up to your house. We’ll be there shortly,” Gaylene says. I’m dumbfounded.
On arrival, they explain the problem and the temporary fix, and since I explained my very tight budget with them and the mechanics, the temporary fix was “no charge.”
I made sure Marlin and Gaylene’s arms were full with my Sharwil avocados when they left.
I’m a very spiritual person. I believe — truly believe — there was divine intervention. We were meant to meet each other. Gaylene shared some information with me about veteran monetary aid I should look into and apply for. I’ve already started the process. I got some serious answers to my prayers — all from this marvelous, synchronistic “event.”
Aloha ke akua, Marlin and Gaylene, and mechanics, Mike and John.
Dennis L. Lawson
Kalaoa