That Time I... Got Stuck On the Subway

This wasn't me. Thankfully.

If you follow me on Twitter then you already know that, on Monday, the power got shut off on the subway in Toronto... while I was on said subway.

Fortunately, I was above ground at the time and had cellphone reception.

What I didn't have was any clue as to when the power would be restored or what would happen next. I worried that I might have to get off the subway and walk along the tracks to the next station.

Here's what I didn't mention: on Monday, Toronto got hit by one of the biggest storms its ever had. We received a month worth of rain in just one hour.

As I sat on the subway, with no power, I watched the rain come pouring down.

I wondered if I'd have to get out, walk along the tracks to the next station, in one of the biggest downpours I've ever seen. With no rainboots on (I was wearing flats).

Luckily for me, I didn't have to walk. My subway eventually made it to my station. As it pulled in, the conductor announced that the train was going out of service. Even though it took me an hour and a half to get there (when it normally takes 20 minutes), I was very lucky that it went out of service at the stop I had to get off at.

I was even luckier that Andrew was there to pick me up, so I wouldn't have to walk home in the rain.

On our way home, we passed this:

Floating couch, anyone?

In case you can't tell, that's a couch that's covered by rain water. It looks like someone was moving out of that building and threw out all their furniture. Which the rain decided sink.

When we got home, we found out just how lucky we were. We had power! Almost half the city didn't.

Remember the picture I started this post with? At home, we watched the news and discovered a GO train got stuck, due to the rain. Passengers were forced to the top level of the train as water flooded the bottom floor.

via
That train ain't moving

via
From the train, to boats.

When I realised how lucky I was, I felt silly for ever complaining about being stuck on the subway for over an hour. Yes, it was annoying but it was just a mild inconvenience compared to what others had to deal with that day.

Everything is a matter of perspective. You may be in a difficult situation but chances are that someone is in a worse situation than you at that same moment.

Never forget to be grateful for the things you do have.

But if you want to complain about the rain, go right ahead. I'll complain right there with you!

Now visit Emily for a much more uplifting story than mine!