The kindness of strangers

This is a photo of the car that I crashed at the back end of last year. (I have altered the number plate so it can't be read.)

My insurance company ended up writing the car off as beyond economic repair.

I find the experience of that event odd.

I was driving home one evening and was about 3 miles from home when I hit a traffic jam. It was an 'A' road with a 50mph speed limit. My mind was elsewhere as I was trying to figure stuff out.

1% of my brain said to me, can you be arsed to sit in this jam, turn round and go the back way home. So I did. Problem was I didn't bother to look, just swung my car out into the on coming traffic.

THUMP.

It is still a loud thump in my head, but also a deep sharp thump if that makes sense. I was hit by a Renault Clio coming in the other direction, which then pulled to a stop on the side of the road. My car was across the two lanes blocking all traffic.

In that instance all energy drained from me. My head fell into my hands and I cried. And I cried. I remember the voice in my head kept repeating over and over and over. I can't take this any more. I can't take this anymore.

I just sat there and didn't move. I was vaguely aware of commotion around me. But my focus was that voice in my head. My car door opened and people were trying to talk to me. I didn't reply.

What I do remember is this one man. He knelt down at the door so he was at the same level as me. He put his hand on my shoulder. He had such a kind and gentle voice. He just kept talking to me softly.

I eventually responded to his voice. 'What am I going to do?'
You don't have to do anything, he replied. You don't have to do anything.

I was still crying. I was still saying to myself in my head, I can't take any more of this. But my focus starting to gradually shift. I felt this strangers hand on my shoulder. I felt the warmth of it. I felt its presence. I felt its kindness and its energy. It started to take more and more of my focus. It was like a life-line bringing me back to the here and now. It was a comfort.


Anyway, I'm guessing that for about 15 minutes I just sat there. Then the police showed up, so I pulled myself together, stopped crying and looked up. The enormity of the situation struck me. Thank God as I looked up, I saw that no-one was hurt. Everyone was standing with no cuts or bruises. Thank-you God. I am grateful no one suffered because of my lack of care. I couldn't have bourne the responsibility of having hurt someone.

So I was cautioned by the policeman for driving without due care and attention and warned of the possibility of prosecution. I admitted everything and said it was my fault. Totally.

But the thing I remember most is that stranger. Of his hand on my shoulder and the energy it gave me. Of his kindness.

Truly, the kindness of strangers is a thing of beauty. And something to behold.