When two trees fall, the garage door dies, and even the holiday decorations turn on you — all you can do is laugh, call a locksmith, and ask the question, Is the Universe bored, or just messing with me?

From recycled pickles and 3 a.m. shifts to teary-eyed drive-thru workers and surprise cups of chai, here’s the hard-earned lessons of service work I learned — and why kindness is never wasted.