I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends

Understatement of my life.

I may be known to be a little dramatic at times, but in the last two weeks I have had quite the series of unfortunate events.  It all started one Friday evening. I was driving home from a longgg day of nannying Jordan and I got off on the Kingston Pike exit on the strip, and when I did I noticed Jack was making the most outrageous noise. It was a loud scrapping sound. I have no idea where it was coming from so I drove down the strip and decided to pull over in the OCI parking lot. (This summer has made me a first name basis regular, so I knew if I needed to use a phone, get some refreshments, hang out for a bit, I would feel safe. And I was right about that). My tire was indeed flat. Like soo flat. I obviously drove on it for quite some time.  This particular weekend, all of my girl bffs went home or out of town. Most of my guy friends went to Atlanta for the Braves game or home. After several phone calls to Jimmy, I knew of a good friend to call who would definitely know what to do in a Jack Jack issue. I called him and he was there before I even started to stress. I have never been so thankful of our friendship over my years in college. On a Friday evening, I am sure he didn’t want to be laying on the ground in the pouring rain to fix a tire, but  I needed him and he was there. My tire was taken off, a new one was put on, and with some air pumped into them I was on my way. The next day I was on an adventure that involved a 6 hour wait to get all new tires for my little red rodeo Jack.

I am homeless for two weeks. My apartment lease ended today. My new lease begins August 12^th. One of my best friends got a truck and helped me load and unload my belongings to her apartment and our other friend’s house.  We did this for hours, in 98-degree heat, and she did it with a smile on her face. I know she had a million things she would rather do, but a true friend is someone who is there not only for the fun times but the notttt so fun times as well.

Who knew a week later I would have another incident. I am known to be a bit clumsy. I often joke I am a very “clummby” lady. Walking to my summer class this past Thursday I take a tumble. When I say tumble I mean, I stepped off the stairs with my left foot, to completely miss the stair below and jam my left foot into the ground (5 steps down). I sat on the ground in tears, not sure if I could move. I am very glad there were no witnesses to this event. I hobbled to my class, turned in my group project, and called my two best friends Brooke and Allison to come get me from my class and take me to the Emergency Room. By this point my ankle had become a cankle and it was not cute and hurt so bad. Allison drove Jack to the ER and sat with me for hours (yes 3 hours to be exact). Clearly a sprained ankle will come behind the woman with chest pains and the man who is bleeding from his head, handcuffed and being escorted by a police officer. After a nice long wait and time to chat with Allison I was sent home with a brace, crutches and prescription. Today Allison took my apartment by storm, and moved every last belonging out of my apartment to her house. I sat and watched like a handicapped woman, unable to offer any help. I owe her my life.

Side Note: On the day of my foot and ankle injury, three hours after leaving the ER, I was in a wreck. Rear-ended in a hit in run. #toomuch for one day.

Yes, Animal Print on the crutches. Bedazzling will come next.

Over the past two weeks, I have never been so grateful and I have never felt so blessed to have such great friends in my life. Lots of friends have been offering to help me in any way possible. My friends literally moving my belongings out of my apartment and crawling around the ground, soaking wet from the rain to change my tires as I watched helplessly, reminded me that I am so lucky to have people who are there when I need them. 

When I need them most, there are right beside me.  

-SJP