Sometimes, it just takes one little thing to change the course of the day.

I'd been having kind of a cruddy day, I was feeling tired, didn't feel like I "connected" with the students today, was dealing with people who seemed to think it was their job to be offended and hurt about minor things.

So I decided to hang it up for the day and headed out to get my allergy shot. On the way home, it started raining (it's not rained in perhaps 2 weeks). And I realized, turning on the wipers, that the wiper blades were shot.

So I went to the local O'Reilly autoparts store. I found the wiper blades I needed, and when I went up to pay, the guy on duty said "Do you want me to put those on right quick for you?"

Now, twelve or fifteen years ago, I would have been all "I am Woman, hear me roar" and told him I didn't need help. Eight or ten years ago, I would have been all "You don't need to do that for me" because I would have felt I was putting him out.

But I am older now, old enough to appreciate a kind offer. (And I was also tired). So I said yes.

And he went out, in the rain, and changed all three wiper blades for me with the nice new blades. And then he came back in and rang up my purchase (I also added a sun shade; I needed a new one anyway). I thanked him, making special note that it was raining. His response was something on the order of "just doing my job" but it really did change the day for me.

I feel a lot better now, thanks to the guy who works in the local O'Reilly Auto Parts.