Someone near and dear to me was in a car accident a few days ago. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but there was significant damage to both cars. The woman who was driving the car my young friend hit was so incredibly gracious that when he told me this story, I thought that she must be an angel.
The accident was clearly my friend’s fault, as he immediately acknowledged. The driver of the other car, who was on her way to work, could justifiably have been annoyed and even angry. Many of us, after being surprised and shaken by such an accident, might have reacted with fear and blame. At the least, she was greatly inconvenienced by being late to work, and then having to deal with getting her car repaired.
But instead, she reacted with compassion and reassurance to my friend, who was shaken himself and desperately apologetic. She even hugged him after they exchanged information and before they parted.
Would I have such composure and grace in that situation? I’d like to think so. She has modeled for me the way I would want to act.
Accidents happen. I’m sure my friend will be an even more careful driver now. But the biggest lesson, I think, is about how we treat each other. The other driver taught us all that no matter the circumstances, we always have a choice about how we react. Her generous spirit will shine on in our lives for a long time to come.
You never know when you are going to meet an angel. I feel blessed.
Life is short, and we have little time to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us. Oh be swift to love. Make haste to be kind. ~Henri Frederic Amiel
related posts: A Shining Moment in the Darkness; The Kindness of Strangers
The lady is definitely an angel. I admire how calmly she reacted towards the situation. The man being so apologetic is also admirable, because there are hot-tempered drivers out there who would put the blame to other people even if it was their fault. They're both angels. :-) Thank you so much for sharing such an inspiring story, Galen! God bless! :-)
ReplyDeleteIrene, I like your idea that they are both angels! You are right that some drivers would not take responsibility. So many angels among us! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteAnother inspiring story and another great post. I want to be like this woman. I'm so grateful for the kind people in my life who set an example for me. Thank you, Galen.
ReplyDeleteKim, Like you, I'm grateful for the people in my life who set an example for me. If we are paying attention, we can see many of these people every day -- people we know and strangers, too, who show kindness. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteWhat an inspiring story! I would hope that I would act like that woman, but I can't know for sure. I think your friend acted admirably, too, to take responsibility for the accident. So many times these situations do not involve such kind people!
ReplyDeleteTina, Thanks for pointing out that my friend acted with integrity. Like you said about the woman, we don't know for sure how we would act in the shock of the moment. I'm so impressed that she was able not only to keep her composure but further to be attentive and compassionate to the driver that hit her. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteIt is so wonderful that your friend was able to meet such a person. I would hope that if I were in such a situation I would react with kindness to such an incident. But I could never be sure as I no longer enjoy driving.
ReplyDeleteBonnie, There are other situations besides driving, I'm sure, where we have a choice about how to respond to others. I'm going to be more mindful of all these opportunities. At least, I'm going to try to. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteShe could have reacted so differently and so many do. The anger flairs and the goodness inside is tossed aside. I like to believe when kindness and compassion are given that the receiver passes them along and the next person does the same and on and on it goes...
ReplyDeletebrenda, I know what you mean. When we are shocked and afraid, we often lash out in anger. It's understandable. All the more reason I was so impressed by her ability in the heat of the moment to be kind. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI aspire to be that forward-thinking in the moment. I try to feel what the loving thing would be to do, and sometimes it's easier than others. There are definitely angels walking around, and there are also people who emanate Grace.
ReplyDeleteJulie, I never saw this woman in person, but I bet she has a light aura all around her! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteThanks for sharing this, it's so wonderful when we can meet an angel when we need her the most!
ReplyDeleteKaren, So true! Thanks for commenting.
DeletePeople like this restore my faith in compassion. I can never imagine myself like that but definitely I can aspire to be like her - calm, composed and compassionate. This incident of this angel will continue to haunt me in times of dire straits. Galen, I can't thank you enough for sharing this today.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and smiles.
Joy always,
Susan
Susan, I'm so glad that you also see her as a model to remind us in trying times that we can choose to follow her example. Maybe if we try to imagine ourselves like that, then if the occasion ever arises, we will act on our imagined response. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteI'm not at all trying to be flippant here, but you probably don't realize that stone angels like the one in you picture strike literal terror into the hearts of Doctor Who fans. Type the words 'Don't blink' into Google, you'll see what I mean. I did like your post though, but I was scared to take my eyes off that angel for one second :)
ReplyDeleteCairn, Oh no! I had no idea. I'm not sure I want to Google that. It sounds too scary to me. (But I'll probably check it out anyway!) Thanks for pointing this out to me.
DeleteJust lovely thoughts today and much needed by me. I do believe there are angels among us. What a great story to illustrate compassion and kindness.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
LeAnn, I'm glad you enjoyed this story about an amazing woman/angel! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI too believe there are angels among us, Galen, and I'm writing to one right now! You and I have never met in person so I don't have a face-to-face feel for your character, but my instinct is 100% certain that you would respond the same way as the woman did. You live your life with that kind of grace.
ReplyDeleteSo glad your friend is relatively unharmed; lessons learned, no doubt!
Best to you!
Beth, You are a sweetie! I'm going to let you think that about me, but I doubt that people who do know me in person would think of me as an angel--ha! Thanks for your lovely comment.
DeleteGreat inspirational example, Galen. I hope that i would be like this. and I am sure I would be on my best days. There are some days however, that I am not my best! These days i have to be more aware than ever to ask Spirit to guide me!
ReplyDeleteJodi, We all have our angelic moments...and our moments when we're not! Like you, when I'm feeling off, I try to remember to belly breathe and let Spirit take over. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteLovely story, Galen! Perhaps she really was sent to teach us all something about patience and compassion. I'm very glad no one was injured, too! There's a little miracle all in itself. :)
ReplyDeleteJennifer, Yes, miracles abound! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteThis is a wonderful story, what an amazing lady. Thank you for sharing this Galen, it makes me realize just how often I can be short with others and it's no fault of theirs. Maybe not so much short with others, now that I think about it it's the impatience I have with myself at times. I don't know what my rush is, everything comes together just as it is meant to. Wow, definitely something for me to take note of today.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
darlin, I can be impatient, too, although I've gotten better about that as I get older. But this woman's reaction really made me stop and think. If she could maintain her composure when she was just driving along and got hit by a car, and even more than that, she could be compassionate to the driver who hit her, then maybe I could try just a little more to take a belly breath and think about whether my thoughts and words and actions are manifesting love or fear. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteThanks for the inspiring story Galen. Not only did this person make a profound impact on your friend but on all of his friends. And on you. And all of us. We're inspired, will strive to be better and keep ourselves (more in check haha or at least try in similar situations). That's the real miracle of one person's actions.
ReplyDeleteVishnu, You never know how far your actions will reach. I'm sure she never thought that all these people would be inspired by her thoughtfulness. One moment of grace has now reached many. Makes me wonder about so many things I've done without much thought to the wider impact. Hmmm. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteEven with my deepened sense of spirituality and reverence for the blessings in my life, I am pretty sure I would not have reacted that way. The heat of the moment and a sense of personal entitlement would have left me steaming, both inside and out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the story and the reminder. I hope I'm never in this situation, but if I am I will try to remember this post.
Bob, I hear you. When I'm startled and frightened, I'm usually not at my best. I'll try to remember this story as well. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteThere are many nice people out there. I usually try to look for them, but sometimes we find them by accident.
ReplyDeleteJJ, Literally by accident in this case! Thanks for your comment.
DeleteGalen,
ReplyDeleteI love the title of this post! I love the thought that there are angels among us. This woman was so gracious. I image that's exactly how angels are: filled with grace. Lovely story!
Sandra, I think there must be many angels among us that we overlook. You are right that this woman acted just like an angel would, full of grace. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteBeautiful post Galen. Yes, angels do sometimes come into our lives and leave a lasting impression on our hearts. The world is still full of good people :)
ReplyDeletediana, Yes, the world is full of good people. Really amazing people demonstrating in their words and actions deep deep compassion. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteWonderful and inspiring story Galen...what an amazing state of consciousness...so high vibrational and yes...angelic.
ReplyDeleteLove Elle
xoxo
elle, Sometimes we cross paths with people like this in odd circumstances, and it leaves a lasting impression. Thanks for your comment.
Delete