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Things are stressful and difficult for so many people right now. I’d love to share a story of people just being good to each other. It happened to me yesterday. /1
I set out to drive from Los Angeles to Tucson, AZ to serve as a poll observer, making sure things are working smoothly at the polls and helping everyone who is eligible to vote have their voice heard. It’s a important state in a massively important election. You know this. /2
I was driving in our very fancy 2003 Toyota Carolla about 20 miles past Coachella (no Beyoncé in sight) my right front tire partially exploded. It was scary. I was fine. I feel very lucky. /3
I pulled off the freeway. The explosion did damage to the car, but it wasn’t clear whether I could drive with a spare tire. I was in the desert. I was alone. It was 99 degrees. Things were not going awesome. /4
I called AAA (thank god for AAA). They dispatched a tow truck. Super nice guy drove 20 minutes to get me. He loaded my car on the back and drove me to a tire place in Indio, CA, his hometown. We talked about his town, his family, my travels. /5
I explained my situation to the guys at the tire place. The tires were old. Really old. (PSA: check your tires!). They started in the tires & gave me recs of places that could do body work so I could be safe to drive. It’s 3:45. Every place in seems to close at 5. 
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😳" title="Errötetes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Errötetes Gesicht">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😬" title="Grimasse schneidendes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Grimasse schneidendes Gesicht">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤞" title="Crossed fingers" aria-label="Emoji: Crossed fingers"> /6
I call 3 places frantically. One was available but a ways away. One didn’t answer. The final one is there but recommends I go to a place that is closer because of my situation instead of going to them. I follow their lead and walk to Pep Boys. /7
Pep boys can’t do it. They do tires. There is one other customer. His name is OG. I explain I’m on a road trip. Not from anywhere nearby. OG: “you need body work, Ive got a shop & my good friend has a junkyard. He might have the parts for an old Carolla.”
What. Is. Happening? /8
What. Is. Happening? /8
He calls his buddy. They have it. He makes me take down 2 numbers. He tells me the name of the place. I’m a little skeptical but mostly just thankful. I need to run back to check on the tires. It’s 4:30. Time is ticking. /9
I run to check on the tires. They are on. The tire guy asks if I was able to find a body shop. Wishes me good luck. I type in OG’s address. It’s in Coachella, I’m in Indio. I would get there at 4:55. This is not going to work. /10
I call the shop that was kind and suggested I go to the closer shop because of time. I get there at 4:45. I’ve spoken to him twice on the phone. He brings the car to back and doesn’t say anything. He gets under the car and starts doing stuff. What. Is. Happening?! /11
10 minutes later he shows me what he did. Replaced a bolt, things are safe to drive. Replaced a lightbulb that was knocked out by the force of the explosion. It’s ready for the road! It’s 5:00. It’s a miracle! /12
It was Kiko, the owner of the shop. I tell him he literally saved the day. “I can’t believe it. Thank you! What do I owe you?”
Kiko: “just 5 bucks for the bulb. No big deal.”
WHAT?! /13
Kiko: “just 5 bucks for the bulb. No big deal.”
WHAT?! /13
I’m at a loss. I give him $20. Thank him 37 times and get in the car. I drive 1 block and stop. I think about OG. I text him. “Thanks so much for your kindness. I can’t thank him enough. I was able to get patched up and I’m head back on the road.” /14
I’m on the road, talking to my amazing wife @caragreene37 who has been trying to help any way she can from LA and I see OG calling. It goes to voicemail. /15
After my call I listen to the voicemail. OG was so happy I was able to get back on the road. I’ve got a place to stay if I’m ever traveling through Indio again. He loves travels and wishes me a safe journey. I’ve got a new buddy. /16
In closing he mentioned that I have a friend in Jesus. I’m definitely Jewish. But then again, so was Jesus. /17
OG was just a really nice guy trying to help a traveler with a problem. So was Kiko. So we’re the tire guys and to tow truck guy. Kindness and empathy from every one of them. /18
These were people living in a desert city that may be very different from me in many ways. But we have so much more in common than any differences. They helped a stranger out. They showed kindness. I’m so thankful. /19
End of the story, I made it to Tucson. I’m now observing a poll location trying to make sure the barriers to democracy are as small as possible. I’m here to help strangers. And it’s very slow. Everything is working well and that’s why I have the time to write this. /end
