Monday, September 26, 2005
Reflecting on Cautious Past
Jeff and I have been listening to Protecting the Gift by Gavin de Becker on tape at home, and if you have kids, I highly recommending reading it or listening to it. In fact, it has made such an impact, that I was thinking back to a time when I was probably made my most vulnerable, and saw how even then, I made myself a "hard target".
Some years back, when I-75 through Georgia flooded out, I was driving up to visit my parents. I was just north of Tifton, and I had to use the restroom, so I started to take an exit. Unfortunately, there was so much water on the road, I hydroplaned between two semis, and off the exit ramp. I took out the exit sign, and literally saw my life flash before my eyes. My car had crashed, but somehow, I was okay. However, it was still pouring down rain, and I was stuck. (This was all before cell phones were common, too.)
So, I got out of the car and went over towards the interstate, heading for the overpass just ahead. I was freaking out, afraid to "hitch a ride", but unsure what else I could do. So, I turned around, and tried waving down a few cars through the downpour. A truck pulled over, and with my keys in my fist, ready to punch, I got in. There was a man in the truck driving, who offered to take me to a nearby hotel at the next exit. I said, "Thank you", and we drove on, with me not buckled and sitting up against to the door. far away from him.
When I get there, there is a line out the door, and a "No Occupancy" light came on. The man said that everything was filling up as people were getting off of the interstate because of the flooding. There was a payphone there, so I called my dad, collect. I told him what had happened, and mentioned the man, as he'd offered to help me find a hotel. I guess the man could tell that I was nervous, so he got out of his truck and offered his ID for me to know who he was. I gladly took it, and gave my dad his name and other information (he happened to be a local ambulance driver), "just in case".
So, needless to say, I'm okay, and nothing happened. But, looking back, I feel good about how I handled it. I was careful even in a situation that would have made me an easy target, and I took what precautions I could. I hope I can raise my children to think in a similar way.
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