Thinking about this still scares the bejeebies out of me...
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I almost killed a kid yesterday. He rode his bicycle at breakneck speed into the intersection I was driving through on my way to Target to pick up dog food. About Ryan's age, he was clad in only a pair of shorts - no shoes, no helmet - and a 'deer caught in the headlights' look. I slammed on my brakes HARD and though I know my tires were no longer moving, my car was still being propelled forward by sheer momentum... it stopped a mere 6 inches from his sturdy little-boy body perched on his green mountain bike. He waved and hollered "I'm sorry" twice before continuing on his way. I had to pull over, to catch my breath and wait for my heart's rhythm to return to normal. I can't remember ever being so frightened. A hundred things ran through my head -- all the what if's... what if I'd been just one second later entering the intersection? What if I'd been looking down at the radio or adjusting the AC or looking in my rear view mirror? What if I hadn't had my brakes replaced recently? What if I'd been tired or my reflexes weren't so good? None of the scenarios my mind fabricated were positive... every one of them resulted in him being terribly (or fatally) injured. It didn't matter that it wouldn't have been my fault... I wasn't speeding; I was crossing the intersection at a green light; he didn't stop or look before he barrelled in front of me; he wasn't wearing any of the protective gear required by law (or common sense). All that would have mattered was that I hit a child with my car. My life as I know it would have been over. That's the sort of thing you don't move past, no matter how it happens or how it turns out. Luckily, I didn't have to move past it. I just had to take a deep breath and thank the Universe that everything fell into place so that little boy could make it, unharmed, to his friend's house or the playground or wherever he was going (hopefully a little bit wiser, a little more wary of intersections, and a lot more respectful of red lights). And after another deep breath, I thanked the Universe that all my problems and frustrations and the annoyances that plague this daily mess we call 'life' pale in comparison to what I COULD have had to deal with, had I been just one second later.
10 comments:
EVERY morning when I get into my car I tell myself; that I rather be late for work, I rather not make it to the store on time, I rather not make that green light, I rather come home those 5 minutes later; I rather do all that then be in an accident and injure someone (or worse). Be it my fault or not; I do not think I could ever be normal again.
So I do completely understand how you feel.
My husband DID hit a girl on her bike...as there was no warning...she came out of the side of a wooded area straight into the path of my husband's car! She did not die but she was hurt and my sweet husband broke into tears still months and months later...
her mother who wasn't watching her daughter sued our insurance company for pain and suffering and even though it wasn't his fault our insurance company paid out $20,000! My hubby did not get any compensation for his pain and suffering and he his left with the memory of her crumpled body falling off the hood of his car!
She couldn't have been more than 8 years old!
I am sorry...I hope he does learn a lesson!
Wow, this was probably the worst adrenaline rush ever. Clearly, the Universe was listening, and put YOU in that exact spot at that moment since you did possess the reflexes and presence of mind. I certainly hope the little boy has a similar "What If?"
Popped over from Sophia's!
Thanks - I should read this everytime I get into my car because I would have been speeding, playing with my music, texting, AND drinking Diet Pepsi and probably would've been steering with my knee because that's how I roll when I'm alone in the car.
Diane, hopefull that child learned a well-needed life-lesson, and I hope you recovered quickly from the urge to scream!
I totally understand you right now, in the fact my brother is in the hospital after having a very sudden, random medical emergency yesterday. We worry about trivial things, don't we? That doesn't mean I won't watch Top Model, but at least I'll think about it.
No worries, girl!! You have lots of bloggy friends here to help you hide the bodies. Relax, speed to your foot's content and be ready to get 'em with the door if they are quicker than they look!
of course I do not actually mean that, I hope you know.
If only common sense was required by law. Ah, just imagine the bliss.
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