Goodyear for Good Guys

So we were at the Opera. Well, the opera in the Carousel Mall Movie Theatres in Syracuse. We'd just seen a Wagner opera when, co-incidentally, a Wagnerian tragedy struck. I picked up my footrest and the clamp flew into bits and pieces. I panicked for a moment but then Joe spotted a couple bits under the seats ahead of us. We waited until the place was free and then, with the help of an usher and a flashlight, found three of the four pieces. With a bit of magic and a bit of prayer, we got the footrest back on. Suddenly the rest of Thanksgiving weekend and the rest of the lecture trip seemed long and arduous. I tried not to cry but wanted to.

On our way back to the hotel, I noticed a 'quick oil change' place. We pulled in and spoke with one of the mechanics there. She looked at the pieces and said that they didn't have anything that would work for us. But, not to worry, she said as she pointed over to the Goodyear Tire place just behind them. Again we pulled in and I spoke to the guy who'd come out from the office to talk to me. I showed him the problem. He took it away and a few minutes later a young man with hands that looked like they worked very hard every day came and spoke to me. He said that he helped keep his Grandfather's wheelchair in good working order and thought he could get it fixed for me.

It was fiddly work but he really applied himself. At one point he came out and was concerned that it wasn't fitting right. He offered to get a couple of washers to make it a bit more secure. It was only then that Joe showed me another piece he'd found but didn't realize it was for the chair. We were both embarrassed after the fellow had already put a lot of work in, but I insisted Joe go and give him the part. He was relieved to get it, a few seconds later he was carrying the fixed piece out to me.

I asked him how much and he just waved and started to walk away, I called him back and gave him a few dollars to buy a beer. I appreciated his generosity with his time but people should be paid for the work they do. It's wonderful to find kindness and patience and understanding in places you'd least expect it.

So all of you who live in the Syracuse area, I totally recommend the Goodyear Tire place just below Carrier Circle on Thompson Road. They don't know about this recommendation, didn't ask for acknowledgement. But I'll tell you good people work there. They deserve the plug.

It's the least I can do. Thanks again Goodyear Guys!