Tim O’Donnell
Storytime!
My three young children and I were on 93-S, in between the exits for 495-N and 495-S in Massachusetts. A few miles earlier, I felt my Expedition wobble a little as I was driving. Well, all traffic came to a dead stop, and emergency vehicles started coming up on the right.
As I’m sitting there, the guy behind me gives a toot on the horn, tells me my rear tire is flat, and says if I pull over, he’ll help me change it. I told him I had everything I needed to do it and proceeded to pull over. Well, that guy disappeared. I had all the stuff with me and was about 60 miles away from home, so “I guess I’m on my own.”
So, here I go: E-brake on, breaker bar out, and there I went, using every single ounce of energy I possessed to start cracking the lugs. I got them all except one. I tried every angle, pushing and pulling, stomping down as hard as I could, and even holding on to the roof, jumping up and down on the bar like a trampoline. I could not, for the life of me, crack that last nut.
In between trying to crack the lug, I placed the jack and got out my spare tire but kept trying to crack the lug. By now, the traffic had cleared and was moving fast.
JUST THEN, an ANGEL in a Nussbaum truck pulled over in front of me. Oh man, what a relief after hundreds of cars and trucks went flying by, and I had basically lost hope in myself to get the tire off! As this man, this caring and amazing human came and took over completely. He cracked that lug and jacked up the truck to get my new spare on. He tightened the lugs back on and lowered down my truck.
More than changing the tire, he made us feel safe. My children were starting to panic because our van was rocking as cars and trucks sped by, and they knew we were very far from home. Mr. Tim O’Donnell introduced himself to my children and assured them we were now going to be fine. This man didn’t ask for anything and walked back to his truck, and we both went on our separate ways.
This man, Tim is a true hero: he stopped on his time just from the kindness of his heart, as others brushed me off like debris in the road. I’m truly grateful that Tim pulled over to help me that day, I have no idea what I would have done if he hadn’t.
Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear Crocs, like Tim O’Donnell. Thank you, sir, so much from the bottom of our hearts—and thank you, Nussbaum, for hiring intelligent, caring people.
The end.
-One grateful Mom named Maria
Want to nominate someone at Nussbaum for an “Own It” Moment? Send your story to esop@nussbaum.com.
This is such a wonderful story! As I read this I wonder about myself, if I would have stopped to help. As I think of myself I believe I am the kind of man that would have. But what I do know for sure is that Mr O Donnell is that man that will stop! What an honor it is to work with this caliber of men and women! All I can think of is how I would hope in time that the lord allows me to meet Mr O Donnell.
I believe that the Holy Spirit whispered that you should stop Tim! And you did! God was there for that lady and those sweet children through this obedient and faithful man. Honestly it kinda tears me up! Our Lord shows his hand in our lives everyday. Today I’m thankful this story was shared. Well done Mr O Donnell.