Jan 9, 2019 3 min read

It’s a new year, and since we’re already one week in and I haven’t exercised once, that working out resolution isn’t going so well. But today is a new day and there’s no reason to give up yet, right? My New Year’s resolutions in recent years have been more introspective and have included goals such as more patience and less swearing.

Those were both tested last week as a careless move on my part left me with two flat tires. A few weeks earlier, my auto club renewal bill came, and the fact that I had never used it once made me question its value. Thank goodness I opted to renew because I wound up calling them for help twice in one week! Both times, the ladies who answered the phone were helpful, friendly and reassuring (shout out to AAA). Both times, the fellas who were dispatched were helpful, friendly and reassuring (shout out to Kendall Towing & Repair). These incidents happened in downtown Pittsburgh, so I couldn’t go to my usual neighborhood tire shop. I had no idea where to turn for help, so I really appreciate being steered to a friendly, honest business that gave me fresh tires at a fair price on such short notice.

After the first incident, I was mad at myself. When one of those shiny new tires wound up flat two days later after a late shift at work, I was mad at the guy who installed them. The friendly Kendall guy showed up quickly, put on the doughnut and sent me on my way. Sunday morning, I searched to find a tire repair shop that would be open and able to help in time for me to go back to work. The shop that had installed the new tires was closed and all the way in downtown Pittsburgh, so that was not an option. I headed to the big box club store, which was packed with customers and whose desk was manned by a lady who apparently got dressed in her grumpy pants that morning. I, too, was grumpy, when she shrugged her shoulders and snapped that it would take three hours but I was welcome to wait. I called a smaller shop nearby (shout out to Firestone) and a very nice fellow named Andy told me to come on over for help. Turns out one of my valve stems was corroded and leaking air. Not only did they fix it quickly and with a smile, they didn’t even ask me for money. When I offered to pay, Andy said, “Don’t worry, you can get us next time.” I will absolutely give them return business because they were so professional and downright nice. From that moment, my renewed New Year’s resolution was to be nice as much as I can … just like all of those nice folks who helped me this past week.

Kristin Emery can be reached at kristinemery1@yahoo.com.