There’s a Reason
Not too long ago I was meeting up with my best friend for coffee then we were going to watch a movie. It was incredibly good and I cried so much, it just pulled at my heartstrings and I just got it. After sobbing for almost two hours I drove my friend home not too far and my mother texted me to go to Aldi (a grocery store if you don’t know) and I had gotten supplies for dinner, every time I thought I was about to check out my mom would send something else for me to scavenge for. I finally was able to escape because I was tired from the day and when I got on the road I took the backway and went a little faster than I should’ve… the next thing I see is a black blob dart across and I feel a thump. I pull over right away and look in my side mirror to see if its moving and it is. I turn back around and instantly start sobbing when I see what I hit, a mostly black calico cat.
The sweet baby was barely moving and went to pick her up in my arms just apologizing profusely. while I was getting into my car this guy was riding his bike slowly, walking two Pitbull's, he asked if I was okay and I told him I ran over a cat and that I was going to take her to the vet. I was blubbering and barely understandable, I could tell he felt bad for me. I pull up directions to the nearest open vet and most are closed due to it being 7:30pm - I find one 20 minuets away and try driving with the poor baby in my lap. I cant move the steering wheel like I needed to so I put her on top of my jacket in the passenger seat. I am just hyperventilating, repeating that she was going to be okay and petting her. I’m numb all over and I had somehow convinced myself she was purring, but it was just my heavy breathing affecting my body. when I pulled up to the vet I ran in sobbing saying that I couldn’t pay because she wasn’t my cat and that I’m only 17. The women behind the desk ran around and checked vitals in front of me and then took her back quickly. Not even 5 minuets later she comes back out saying that she had past almost on impact. I broke down even harder. everyone in the lobby just stared and even the veterinarian noticed to which she put me into a room to calm down and fill out paperwork. Thankfully the cat was just a stray but I still felt incredibly sorry, I had taken the felines life… My mother and siblings came to pick me up and when I walked out I noticed my hazard lights were still blinking from when I pulled over and I fell into my moms arms.
I woke up the next morning stressed because I forgot I had an oil change at 8am and it was 8:30. I was able to still get my car back from the vet and bring it in down the road. I dropped it off got a coffee, drawing on my computer next door and waiting. while I was drawing this older women sat at the table in front of me. she pulled out a deck a cards and started playing solitaire. I had the instant urge to play with her and after a while I asked if she knew how to play speed (a fun card game) she pat the seat in front of her and we played a few rounds. After about 30 minuets she got a text her truck was done at the place next door she also had an oil change, we started to walk over together and I asked what she does for a living, we started to just talk, she mentioned that her husband just had brain surgery and hasn’t been out of the house like this for weeks. She had been taking care of him through this tough time and had to retire. She stated that she really appreciated our time together and that it truly made her week.
I got home just appreciative of life’s journey and even though there are downs there’s a reason. If I hadn’t hit the poor cat and left my car at the vet then I would’ve gotten my oil change at 8am instead of 11am and I wouldn’t have ran into that sweet women and had that wonderful experience, impacting her the way I did. I am grateful for the road I've been guided along and to know that usually there is a reason whether you know right away or not.
