Wednesday, July 30, I had one of “those” days…

I own and operate a senior driving business, which keeps me incredibly busy. I was leaving to pick up another client and as I was walking out the door, I got a distracting call, my dog was barking, the mail man was talking to me…when without thinking, I shut the door to my second floor casita, leaving all my keys inside!

I burst into tears!

This was the last straw to my stress level…(for more reasons than I am sharing). My patio door was un-locked but I had no way of getting up there. My neighbor had a ladder but it wasn’t tall enough to reach my balcony. In desperation I called the local fire and police departments begging for their help, but they wouldn’t help me and I couldn’t afford a locksmith!

As I stood outside in the heat, bewildered and surrounded by three of my wonderful neighbors -- Edna, Linda and Nela -- I gave up hope. Nela suggested I call ACE Hardware. In tears, I called Paul’s ACE Hardware and spoke with Pam and asked her if I could rent a ladder.

She was so kind and transferred me to Shasta, in rentals. Shasta was incredibly caring and helpful. She put me on hold for a few minutes then came back and told me that “Scott,” a customer who “just happened” to be there, had an eight-foot ladder on his truck and he would be right over. Scott came within 15 minutes and, in no time, got up to my patio, opened my door and handed me my keys.

My hero!

Words cannot truly express the relief and thankfulness to Pam, Shasta and Scott Hegna and the overwhelming kind help in my desperate time of need!