I’ve been going to the same barber/hair stylist for 35 years. Through relationships, health issues, and other life adventures, Richard and I have shared a lot of the journey together. Through much of that time, Richard and his wife Christina have been in business together in Issaquah; that’s about 54 miles from my house.

It’s a long way to get a haircut – but the distance is an issue in this post.

I’d also add that after the haircut I have lunch with one of the guys I worked with for years.

In any case, about three months ago I had gotten my haircut; had lunch with Rod; and then started the way back. It didn’t take long to hear the thumping and I knew it wasn’t a bumpy road, but a flat tire.

Crap.

The streets were crowded and busy and I needed a place to look at the tire.

Fortunately, there was a nearby shopping center with ample parking near Target.

Drove to the farthest point; got out; and my right rear tire was as flat as a pancake.

I got out the toy jack most cars have and then looked at the temporary spare. Whatever else Subaru Outbacks have (at least in my 2014), they didn’t have full-size spares. The spare’s instructions said it had a 50-mile limit (and then would need to be replaced) and could only be driven at 50 mph.

I checked the traffic maps and the ride home was already going to be long due to backups and accidents on I5 in Fife and Tacoma.

And there was still that toy jack.

The day was hot and I decided I’d use my AAA membership and have them come and put on the spare.

It took about 45 minutes for them to show up, while I sat looking serenely out at the curious who drove by.

The AAA tech got out his hydraulic jack and quickly and safely replace the tire.

We examined the tire and couldn’t see an obvious nail or screw; at least there was hope it could be patched.

Where to go?

I knew of a Firestone store nearby and drove there.

The store manager pulled out the spare and found a slash/cut on the sidewall – so no repair, only replacement.  How things like that happen is never clear – but it seems to be the way tire issues always go: never a simple repair.

He told me that they had some other work to do, but did have the tire size I needed.

Hmmm…spend a lot of money. to get all four replaced (that’s the way it is with radial tires); or, put on the toy spare tire, and drive 54 miles through heavy traffic – only to have to deal with tire replacement back in Gig Harbor.

Flashed my plastic and they went to work.

They were friendly the entire tire and I watched the techs work the tire replacement.  Driving home I reflected that I had four new tires; and by the time I left Issaquah most of the traffic backups had dissipated -I was hours late.

A few days later, I got a request for a review and decided I’d write favorably of the store manager and the service. Then they requested a Google review – sure, no problem. Helping small businesses – no matter their corporate organization – is important for the jobs they provide.

This morning, I got a notice from Google that my review had been seen 1,000 times – hopefully meaning they got more business.

In the grand scheme of things, a flat tire was a relatively minor inconvenience.

But it reminded me that small things can often lead to wider impacts than we realize at the time.