Flat tires, full hearts, can’t lose.

I got a flat tire on my way home yesterday. I pulled over to a gas station and grabbed my spare tire. As I got out the jack and lug wrench, this guy getting gas walked over and offered some help. I readily accepted, and watched as he struggled to remove a few lug nuts. His buddy came over and handled the stubborn ones.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, I asked if I could buy them some food or drinks from the gas station. The buddy asked for some Topo Chico, and I found the largest bottle I could and bought two. The buddy came in and ordered some tacos, which I also insisted on buying for him. I thanked them over and over as I handed them the Topo Chicos.

The buddy thanked me and said, “Let me just tell you one thing.” I eagerly nodded my head, wondering what was coming next. “Immigrants are not here to make trouble. We’re here to help.”

I told them about how much I love immigrants and we then talked about how I had lived in Mexico, and they were from a city not far from where I’d lived.

As I made my way home, I was so heartbroken thinking about how that small interaction was a little glimpse into the desire that immigrants have to belong and the engrained challenges they face.

Be kind to everyone, like these two generous men (who happened to be born in another country) were to me.