Do what you love

Yesterday I had a minor car accident* that led to meeting some delightful fellows who love what they do.

First there were two police officers. Ian had just gotten off-duty, so he called in the accident directly and stuck around until another officer arrived. Does this mean Ian loves his work? Maybe. He was certainly kind and helpful.

The next officer, Constable B, came immediately and sat with his lights on diverting traffic to the other lane. My car wouldn’t start, so he let me sit in his squad car, where we had the best chat about moving from out of province (me from SK, he & his family from Britain) and about parenting, education, tutoring, and success. We agreed that too many parents push their children to be “the best” but too often their ideas of success and what’s best don’t fit the child. What if the child doesn’t want to (or can’t) be a brainiac, doctor, lawyer, teacher or CEO? What if the child wants to be something practical and less glamorous yet desperately important, like a tow truck driver in an icy winter storm?

Then there was Kevin. Of course I’ve met him before, but he’s worth mentioning in this story because he loves helping people and loves mechanics. He brilliantly diagnosed my car’s problem on the phone: "Did you hit the back end? You probably tripped the intertia switch." Sure enough. Apparently it’s a safety feature.

Kevin came by as soon as he could, first pulling over to check an online manual for the '96 Crown Victoria to figure out where to find the inertia switch. When my knight in shining 4WD truck arrived he gave me a hug, flipped the switch, inspected the exterior damage, gave me more hugs. Mission accomplished, he disappeared into the snowstorm to fetch his little girl. Later he picked me up from home to spend a quiet evening with pizza, hockey (go Flames!), and a nap.

Finally there was Art, the tow truck driver who LOVES his job and wouldn't do anything else. (Of course, I talked to him about his job!) He says he makes decent money, but he left a higher paying management position to do this work that he loves. He loves the challenge and the all-nighters: he could repeat the same scenario five times in a row and not get bored because it’s different every time. I am SO glad.

I felt so safe with all these capable men taking care of me, and safer because they weren’t merely enacting a duty. It’s not just about the money (though that helps). Fulfilled in their work, they were able to show kindness and skill. And I’m so glad they are in these vocations.

*Single vehicle (mine): hit black ice on a bridge, fishtailed twice, glanced off the guardrail with front right (only broke the signal light cover) then spun around, slid and landed backwards with the left corner of the back bumper scrunched against the guard rail. Didn't hit anyone else. Bumped my head, but not too hard.