I love those snapshots of life that leave a deep impression, especially when that memory evokes a wash of gratitude and a belief in the core goodness of people.
This week, as I was sitting at a red light at the corner of Boyer and 23rd, right in the heart of Montlake, a potential fatality was averted right before my eyes.
Anyone who lives around here knows that this intersection is extremely busy and chaotic, situated half-way up a relatively steep hill where cars fly down 23rd, and pedestrians and cyclists often go unnoticed until the last split-second. Indeed there was one fatality last year of a pedestrian who was simply standing at the corner, the victim of poor visibility, clueless Seattle driving, and unpredictable traffic patterns. The memorial left by friends and family for the victim served as a stark reminder that we must remain completely focused and vigilant at all times.
Which brings me back to last week. I will admit that as I sat at the red light, with a couple cars ahead of me, I was NOT paying attention, and barely noticed when the woman waiting on the other side of 23rd started running across the street. The light was still red, but there will always be impatient people who cross against the red, so nothing seemed terribly amiss, until I noticed she was grabbing the arm of the elderly gentleman who had been waiting on my side of the street. Apparently confused, he had started to cross 23rd against the red light and the woman, realizing his life was in peril, rushed across the street to grab his arm and lead him back to the safety of the sidewalk. Several cars rocketed by that very spot a second later. wow.
Obviously, this all happened in a matter of seconds, but as the events unfolded and my comprehension of their significance dawned on me, I was simply overwhelmed with a flood of emotion. The slight adrenaline rush that hit me was obviously miniscule compared to what that woman must have felt, but I was thankful that she acted, probably without even thinking, and potentially saved this man's life.
As I drove past, rushing to get to my meeting, I was grateful that I was a witness to this act of pure selflessness, leaving an afterglow of renewed faith in people.
Anyone who lives around here knows that this intersection is extremely busy and chaotic, situated half-way up a relatively steep hill where cars fly down 23rd, and pedestrians and cyclists often go unnoticed until the last split-second. Indeed there was one fatality last year of a pedestrian who was simply standing at the corner, the victim of poor visibility, clueless Seattle driving, and unpredictable traffic patterns. The memorial left by friends and family for the victim served as a stark reminder that we must remain completely focused and vigilant at all times.
Which brings me back to last week. I will admit that as I sat at the red light, with a couple cars ahead of me, I was NOT paying attention, and barely noticed when the woman waiting on the other side of 23rd started running across the street. The light was still red, but there will always be impatient people who cross against the red, so nothing seemed terribly amiss, until I noticed she was grabbing the arm of the elderly gentleman who had been waiting on my side of the street. Apparently confused, he had started to cross 23rd against the red light and the woman, realizing his life was in peril, rushed across the street to grab his arm and lead him back to the safety of the sidewalk. Several cars rocketed by that very spot a second later. wow.
Obviously, this all happened in a matter of seconds, but as the events unfolded and my comprehension of their significance dawned on me, I was simply overwhelmed with a flood of emotion. The slight adrenaline rush that hit me was obviously miniscule compared to what that woman must have felt, but I was thankful that she acted, probably without even thinking, and potentially saved this man's life.
As I drove past, rushing to get to my meeting, I was grateful that I was a witness to this act of pure selflessness, leaving an afterglow of renewed faith in people.
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