 |
| google images |
The day before my stress test last week, the girl chicks and I were heading home from Super Target where we did an apres-blizzard stock-up. The roads were still treacherous. Visibility was poor because we were virtually tunneling thru the mounds of snow that were piled up.
The kids argued amongst themselves (as usual) while I entertained the prospect of a massive heart attack or life as a cardiac patient when I spotted a tiny, dark figure off behind one of the massive snow piles, darting quickly toward the street.
Although I was hardly going fast by any means (did I mention conditions were terrible?) I instinctively slowed because I learned a long time ago to ‘skate to where the puck is going to go’. Maybe he’d stop and jump in the snow, but right then this little ‘puck’ was making a beeline for the street.
Sure enough, a boy emerged from behind a snow pile and ran right out in front of me. I stood on the brakes and slid. There was nowhere to swerve, the road was literally like a bobsled chute.
Time stood still while the ABS brakes pulsed.
So this is how it feels to hit someone (maybe, almost). Horrible.
I’m not going fast so maybe he won’t be hurt badly.
But what if he goes under a tire?
What about his poor family?
What will life be like as a murderer? An accidental one, but still?
Then, at the last instant, miraculously he moved out of the way. When I finally came to a complete stop, he stood right next to my driver’s side window. No more than four or five years old, with grey eyes looking back at me, seemingly clueless as to what almost happened.
In my mind, I went from almost murderer to the luckiest lady on earth. I’d been spared; given a second chance.
Compared with having a murder wrap, potentially being a cardiac patient didn’t seem so bad.
I consider myself a grateful person. Nevertheless, this incident was a wakeup call. Life is amazing…whining kids, dog puke on the carpet, a few extra pounds and all.
