I am completely astounded.
Bewildered.
Confounded.
Shocked.
Appalled.
Confused.
Stunned.
...but somehow not at a loss for words, just comprehension.
I am very glad to be sitting here typing this away, healthy and happy as you please.
But it is by nothing short of the grace of God that I am doing so.
I was forced off of the highway -off of the LEFT side of the highway (that would be the fast lane)- by another driver who was speeding, weaving in and out of traffic and trying to squeeze his car into the tailpipe of my car. I have no idea why he was angry with me, but there was not a shred of doubt about it when he got into the right lane beside me and pushed me off the paved highway into the dirt on the side of the road... at a brisk 80 miles an hour.
Thankfully I am a good driver. I did not wreck. I was able to get back on the road and continue on my way.
But all the way, I wondered... HOW?!?!
How could someone DO that? At what point does someone sink to a level where human life means nothing? I could have been killed, or seriously injured. I have a family, friends... I have a LIFE! How much does someone have to lose, how hateful does someone have to feel within themselves before they are indifferent to the precious gift of life?
I am dumbfounded.
He sped away as soon as he had gotten me off the road... and disappeared up ahead, he was going so fast. I didn't see him anywhere.
And I am left to wonder at this brush with my mortality... because I lose sight of it in my daily habits and lifestyle. I get caught up in the all the activities I'm doing, and people I keep company with, and goals I have. I forget that this priceless time we have here is so fleeting, that every single second counts. That there are no guarantees.
It is what we make it.
So I am going to take this evil deed, turn it around, and pay it forward positively. And I'm going to ask you... who are reading this, YOU... to please go do something kind and considerate for someone else today. Something unexpected and very good. Make a difference to someone else that will bring a smile to them.
Maybe we can win over those souls who believe that there is nothing worth living for.
With love,
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
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15 comments:
scarlett,
that was a horrible experience.
just horrible.
how you were able to make it to where you were going after that, i don't know.
i would have been so shaken by it that i would have had a hard time driving.
i am so sad that you had to go through this.
why he did this is a more disturbing thought to me than the how.
i am impressed with your refusal to allow this violent act to alter your spirit.
i will comply and make this act count towards offsetting this negative act.
sounds like you'd met one nutty case whose impatience can drive him to doing anything. sadly, such drivers are all too common on the roads. we'll be lucky not to have met one. i'm sorry to hear about your experience, but i'm sure you are very thankful that your skills pulled it through for you.
yes, i will heed your advice and pay it forward to someone.
i have something similar over at my blog too. i'm encouraging people to count their blessings. i guess your experience here can be counted as one blessing.
Oh my goodness is that horrible! Like you, I just can't wrap my head around what someone like that could be thinking, could be going through, could...be.
So glad you're safe and have managed to turn this nightmare into a positive message. I'm off to find something kind to do :)
I am angry and horrified.
I'll take your challenge but won't stop at just one. I'll keep at it and think of you.
We won't let the bastards win.
Wow, Scarlett, that must have been SO scary. :-( You definitely had some angels watching over you! But the fact that you handled it so well without ending up hurt or worse, makes you my official heroine this week. I'm humbled to say my fury would have probably kept me from being the bigger person in that situation. Not that I would have sped off after the guy or anything stupid, but you know, just doing my own little things that I "thought" would make "me" feel better -- blaring the horn, shouting several choice expletives and flipping the bird. Granted, the fact that your hands were no doubt gripping the steering wheel to keep you on the road probably would have ruled any of that out. I applaud you for being able to take such a maddening and terrifying experience and turning it into something positive. For that, I'll gladly pay it forward. :-) Big hugs to you!
Christina
Scarlett, what an awful experience - but there is just no accounting for someone else's rage and baggage. I've had similar happen to me and it's an horrific experience, leaves you gasping and going "wha'!"
I am so glad you're safe and that you are enlightened enough to know to take such an awful experience and turn it into something good. Well done, you!
Big hug
Chesca,
It sure shocked the heck out of me! But, if we do not learn from every experience and take away the best that can be gotten from it, then the lesson is in vain.
Thank you so much for giving kindness out in the face of this.
Canterbury Soul,
I drive a lot, about 3000 miles a month. Had I not been so very familiar with my vehicle and confident in my abilities, I'm sure I would have wrecked and then who knows.
I count this as more than one blessing... it was full of blessings.
Thank you for blessing others, good man.
I will come over to see yours.
Sognatrice,
It is incomrehensible to me, but it makes me wonder about the soul who did it... where are they? I mean, really? Where does the heart dwell that knows no value for human life? What a horrific place to exist.
Thank you for your continued kindness, although it's an inherent and constant characteristic of you; one that I like very much.
Diana,
Thank you, paying it forward in kindness is a wonderful way to try and change it. We learn by experience, more than anything.
Perhaps a simple kindness that we gift to someone else today may save someone else in the future...
Christina,
It's so perfectly normal to react with shock and anger, but then would I be any different than him? If I had exploded in anger over his indifference for my life and the lives of those who love me... then I allow that to control me, but if I use my head and react with patience and reflection, then that serves me and him both.
If I'd chased him, perhaps he might have done it again or shot me... who knows.
We all choose our paths, I don't want to have lots of regrets on mine.
Lady, thank you for continuing the kindness and 'spreadin the love'... more would only be better.
Great big hugs back to you.
Vanilla,
I'm very glad to be here, and I don't know if I'm enlightened, but humbled and focusing on grace for certain.
It puts life in a whole new light.
Just gotta remember to keep looking at it through that light.
Thanks all,
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
Wow, I don't even know you and I feel your shock, outrage, fear and feeling like you've been violated. Bravo for you for turning it around and doing good. I, too, will pay it forward with your wishes in mind. Yes, that person must lead a tormeneted life to be able to do that.
wow.
I really don't know what to say. I mean, I cant say I'm surorised that this happened; people ahve become increasingly rude on the roads in recent decades. BUt it is terrible to hear it happen all the same.
I will definitely try to take your advice and pay it forward today or tomorrow.
Thank you, and good luck driving next time!
I join the rest of this blog group in being thankful that You are okay.
What an absolute bonehead.
You know what they say about guys who drive like that: Ain't getting nothin' at home.
Eventually, their stupidity catches up with them and they push up daisies in a nice, quiet cemetery somewhere.
I can't believe that someone can be so mean-spirited and with such murder in their heart. (But then maybe - unfortunately - I can believe it.) I do love the way you have decided to turn it around. That is just so wise and the perfect revenge! I am glad too that you are still with us! :)
Jeni,
Welcome! Actions like that are shocking to most of us, I think. I am so glad you are going to help us pay it forward in a good way. Something positive needs to come from this.
Rachel,
Road rage is getting worse, there was a man shot to death a mile and a half from here last week... a victim of road rage. So senseless.
Thank you for joining us in this action!
ECD,
Who's to say what makes people do evil. I think it's different for each of them. There must be an individual breaking point somewhere... but I wonder if we all have that, or just those who are not strong?
Chief,
I am so thankful to be here, thanks for your words. It was something to learn from, that is for certain!
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
First of all, I'm glad you're safe
And secondly, I've had a similar experience where two drivers blocked the highway so that a line of four cars coming onto the highway from another highway couldn't get into a lane on the highway. I was one of the four cars, going about 65mph, and we had to drive down the white line between lanes on the highway creating a fourth lane of traffic between two existing lanes of traffic. It was horrible.
Like you I was ourtaged by this behavior that could of been deadly and was absolutely pointless. Unlike you, I never thought to turn it into something positive. I just moped and muttered about it for days on end. Your way is better.
Ally,
You are back! YAY! You were missed!
It's awful how folks can get these days, and we haven't even started on the 'cell phone, makeup, eating, reading' crowd who believes that multitasking while you drive is productive!
I'm so glad we are both okay!
Nice to see you back!
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
Scarlett ~ you dealt with it well, bravo. And just remember, for all that aniety and tension and anger that driver has built within it will catch up to him eventually (and will probably kill him) but let's hope s/he doesn't take anyone else out in the process. Glad you are such a good driver!
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