PSA - Don’t go in the ocean with your keys

Pictured above, my key angels!

I realize this seems like a no-brainer. It is. However, Jake was so excited about going swimming that I forgot my keys were in my bathing suit. A couple of big waves later and we exited the ocean, sans keys. 

I looked down, realized my mistake, hoped that I had placed them with my clothes and looked, fingers crossed behind my back. Nope. “Maybe I left them in the car.” Nope. 

They were in the ocean. 

I thought for a moment and realized, that’s what AAA is for. I approached a woman sunbathing and reading a book. I explained my situation and asked to use her phone, because of course my phone and wallet were in the locked car. 

And a new friendship was formed. Amy and I chatted for more than three hours as we fielded calls from AAA extending the time it would take them to arrive. We talked about our kids, life, work and living in Wilmington. She’s a local. Her husband was on the case googling ways to get into my Hyundai Tucson and I called the local dealer to see if they had the fob in stock. Because, of course, I only have one key. 

In all fairness, I tried to get a new key three times in Charlottesville and the local dealer kept selling my fob before they called to let me know it was in. Three times!

At one point, we were all getting hot and I asked a family near us if they had any water and a bowl. Poor Jake, my black lab mix, was baking in the sun. They were kind and gave me the needed supplies. Jake lapped up almost an entire bottle. 

AAA said it would be another two hours and Amy and I ventured to a local coffee shop to get something to drink and sit in the shade. 

The tow truck driver called and said he had arrived early. YAY! He got my car all hooked up and Amy, Jake and I got in her car to follow the truck to the dealer. Just before we were about to leave, the tow truck driver walked up, dangling my keys. I looked at him shocked and asked where they were. 

The kind family that supplied the water for Jake had stepped on them in the ocean. They brought them to the parking lot just before we headed out to the dealership! 

I hugged my angels. I hugged Amy. I stood there with my jaw agape. What are the chances? Here’s what had to happen for this to come to fruition. The family had to know about my situation to know what to do with the keys when they found them. They had to literally step on them in the big, open Atlantic Ocean. They had to come to the parking lot with the keys before the tow truck left with my car. What are the chances of that happening?

And low and behold, the keys worked!!!! 

We dismantled my car and I was off to the dealership to make sure the fob was fine and to order a new key. 

What’s the moral of this story? Well, like I said, don’t go in the ocean with your keys. But, it’s also about relaxing and trusting that things will work out. I didn’t once freak out. I didn’t get upset. I didn’t even berate myself. What would be the point?

But I haven’t always been that way. Before my accident, before my new lease on life, I would have done all of the above and more. And, I wouldn’t have thought clearly about next steps. I might not have met a great new friend. And, my faith in humanity might not have been celebrated in a small and meaningful way.

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Until then, remember that life is an adventure and it’s all in how you view things. I choose to be happy and joyful. I had a delightful morning at the beach and made a new friend. Life is so very good.