My last appointment of the day was set for 8 pm. Given that my earlier meeting had started hours earlier, there should have been plenty of time. As the evening unfolded, interesting points, dialogue, and extended conversation put my should-good-in-theory plans at risk. I found myself remembering and forgetting only to remember that I have a commitment coming. When I rechecked the time for the umpteenth time I knew I was in trouble. It was two minutes before 8. I was not going to make it.
A chirp from my phone alerted me to an incoming SMS. “I am running late. I estimate my arrival at 8.15.”
Perfect, if I left right now and was lucky, I would get there in time.
“I’ve got to run. I am oh so late for an appointment.”
As I debated within about the challenges of finding a taxi for the relatively short distance to my destination versus walking, there was a certainty of being late if I chose to walk. Better to be a little bit late but certain. Something within pushed me towards Circular Road and potential taxis.
Within seconds, a taxi pulled up and a voice asked me “are you going close?”
“Yes lah. I go close. Can?”
“Where? Main street. Can.”
In Singlish, the conversation made sense. What unexpectedly came next was a series of four green lights perfectly times. In less than 5 minutes I was where I wanted to be.
“Thank-you lah!”
“You very lucky lah. Your karma takes care of you. It will help me now I am sure.”
Was it all planned in advance? I know with certainty that I had far more time than I imagined. Saying goodbye, being polite, enjoying what unfolded, and in the end things working out. As stressful at it was at times, Life has a way of taking care of the bigger picture. I often miss that point. This time I did not. I found myself repeating an old psalm; “God! Let people thank and enjoy you. Let all people thank and enjoy you.” (Psalm 67.3)
