Last night on my way home from work I witnessed one the saddest things I think I have ever seen with my own eyes. It's one thing to watch or listen to the news to find out terrible events but seeing it with your own eyes can be heart wrenching.
I was driving down the road and on the right hand side of me up ahead, there was an elderly gentleman on his bike. On this stretch of road there is no bike lane so cars and cyclists were sharing. On the sidewalk three boys were walking, if I were to guess their age I would say between thirteen and fifteen. I saw the boys grab a sign that was placed in the ground, it was one of those really lightweight signs with two thin metal rods that you sink into the grass. As quick as anything one of the boys shoves the sign between the spokes of the bike that the elderly gentleman was on.
I was a few feet behind him so I watched as he loses control. He veered a little into my lane and then instantly over corrects the other way which makes him run into the curb. The boys take off running, laughing as the man whips around and starts yelling at them. Traffic was heavy at this time and there was no place for me to pull over and see if he was alright. I watch in my rear view mirror as this man pulls over and checks his bike. He then gets back on his bike and starts riding away, but it's veering slightly to the side.
I enjoy watching practical jokes unfold, be it me that is pulling the joke or the victim of. This was no joke though, that was an immature act that could have had a domino affect of repercussions. What makes three boys all think for one instant that this was a wise idea?
We are all in charge of what we do, how we feel, how we talk to people and treat people. So perhaps if you all could do just one extra special nice act for a stranger it will make up for the rotten way this poor man was treated.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Losing Faith
I lost my faith in humanity two weeks ago.
I did.
It was one of the worst experiences in my life. Thankfully it was almost restored by the end of the day.
I was driving in my van with my three children. It was almost eleven in the morning and we were on a secondary highway. Scott was in his truck heading in the opposite direction that we were driving, he had our cell phone on him.
Alyson started to cough and in moments it went from a normal cough to a coughing fit. I adjusted my rear view mirror so that I could keep an eye on her. She started choking and her eyes were starting to look huge. She caught her breathe and the only thing I could try and wrap my mind around was trying to recall where the hospital was in the direction I was driving.
The coughing wasn't scaring me, losing her breath was. Seconds later she started coughing again, her eyes were bulging and her face started turning purple. I yanked the wheel and pulled the van off to the side of the highway. I grabbed Alyson out of her seat and ran to the back of the van and started trying to hail down traffic. I could have counted between fifteen and twenty cars. Not one person stopped.
I never felt more useless in my entire life. My child was trying to breath and I had no way to get her where she needed to go. I looked around for a house so I could ask to use the phone to call for an ambulance, but I was pulled over in a fairly isolated area. The only thing I could think of was to grab my GPS and find out where the nearest hospital was. It read ten kilometers away, I didn't feel like I had any other choice. There is an option of calling for help on my GPS but I was scared it wouldn't work, because I couldn't actually speak to a real person. I strapped Alyson back in her car seat and asked Destyni to try and keep her distracted. I drove like a mad woman to the address that was given, it took me to the middle of a industrial park. No hospital, no emergency department.
I drove up to a man and woman that were walking into a building and asked them for directions to the hospital. The man spoke broken English while his wife walked away from us. It was horrible. For ten whole seconds I sat in my van, tears flowing, anger and frustration tearing through me. Alyson started coughing again. I jumped out of the van and ran into the closest business I could find. Two girls working in the building called the paramedics. In minutes I had Alyson in my arms, trying to keep her calm and at least fifteen people offering help. By the time the paramedics had Alyson in their care the group of people had figured out how to get a hold of Scott, how to get Jonathan and Desytni to the hospital and they restored most of my courage again. There are still really good people left in the world, even if I couldn't find one on the side of a highway.
Alyson is doing great. It was one of the scariest moments of my life but she is fine now. The doctor said it was croup and she was congested. She was sent home later the same day. Many days after the fact I am still shaken to the core, still in slight shock that no one would pull over and offer help. I am beyond thankful that Alyson is fine, that nothing serious happened but I pray that I am never in a situation where I lose faith in humanity again.
I did.
It was one of the worst experiences in my life. Thankfully it was almost restored by the end of the day.
I was driving in my van with my three children. It was almost eleven in the morning and we were on a secondary highway. Scott was in his truck heading in the opposite direction that we were driving, he had our cell phone on him.
Alyson started to cough and in moments it went from a normal cough to a coughing fit. I adjusted my rear view mirror so that I could keep an eye on her. She started choking and her eyes were starting to look huge. She caught her breathe and the only thing I could try and wrap my mind around was trying to recall where the hospital was in the direction I was driving.
The coughing wasn't scaring me, losing her breath was. Seconds later she started coughing again, her eyes were bulging and her face started turning purple. I yanked the wheel and pulled the van off to the side of the highway. I grabbed Alyson out of her seat and ran to the back of the van and started trying to hail down traffic. I could have counted between fifteen and twenty cars. Not one person stopped.
I never felt more useless in my entire life. My child was trying to breath and I had no way to get her where she needed to go. I looked around for a house so I could ask to use the phone to call for an ambulance, but I was pulled over in a fairly isolated area. The only thing I could think of was to grab my GPS and find out where the nearest hospital was. It read ten kilometers away, I didn't feel like I had any other choice. There is an option of calling for help on my GPS but I was scared it wouldn't work, because I couldn't actually speak to a real person. I strapped Alyson back in her car seat and asked Destyni to try and keep her distracted. I drove like a mad woman to the address that was given, it took me to the middle of a industrial park. No hospital, no emergency department.
I drove up to a man and woman that were walking into a building and asked them for directions to the hospital. The man spoke broken English while his wife walked away from us. It was horrible. For ten whole seconds I sat in my van, tears flowing, anger and frustration tearing through me. Alyson started coughing again. I jumped out of the van and ran into the closest business I could find. Two girls working in the building called the paramedics. In minutes I had Alyson in my arms, trying to keep her calm and at least fifteen people offering help. By the time the paramedics had Alyson in their care the group of people had figured out how to get a hold of Scott, how to get Jonathan and Desytni to the hospital and they restored most of my courage again. There are still really good people left in the world, even if I couldn't find one on the side of a highway.
Alyson is doing great. It was one of the scariest moments of my life but she is fine now. The doctor said it was croup and she was congested. She was sent home later the same day. Many days after the fact I am still shaken to the core, still in slight shock that no one would pull over and offer help. I am beyond thankful that Alyson is fine, that nothing serious happened but I pray that I am never in a situation where I lose faith in humanity again.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Child At Heart
Our family didn't travel much when I was young. The first time I ever left the small Island that I lived on I was almost six years old. My aunts, uncles and cousins all lived close to us so we didn't need to leave home to go visiting. During my parents' vacation it was all about spending time together doing the things that we had access to. The beach, amusement parks and the yearly carnival that floated through town. There was no need for us to leave when we had everything we wanted within driving distance.
So the heart doesn't yearn what it doesn't know, right? Right!
Except....when you leave the place you spent your entire childhood and realize what else is out there in the world. While I was in grade six my violin instructor set up a three day trip to Halifax, NS. There was fundraising involved which only heightened the anticipation of being away from your family for three days, being able to sleep in a hotel with friends, staying up WAY too late and eating junk food until you were bouncing of the bed.
That was the first time I had fallen in love with something intangible. It wasn't the lights, the shops, the business that kept my heart captive for those three days. It was something else. It was the air, the feeling of belonging, the "being there."
When I arrived home I remember my mother looking at me and knowing something had changed. I needed what that city had to offer and I wanted it yesterday. Immediately I started making plans on how I would live there when I was older. I was eleven years old and knew that I needed to be a part f that world.
Like most things, the path that I had set out for myself offered me more forks in the road then what my childhood plans could even imagine. I never did live in Halifax, but any chance I could get to go and visit I would jump on. While being there I would fall in love with the city over and over again. I was still in love- but the city and I had a long distance relationship.
I wish on stars. I have since I was a child and I still do now. I believe that being able to cast a wish into the universe and hoping that your wish is answered allows the heart to stay young and alive. Someone out there must have heard my wish after almost twenty years because I am moving to Halifax. To live! For at least five years. My husband's job is taking us there.
Since we found out, almost two months ago I have been giddy. I have awoken out of a deep sleep with my belly jumping with excitement. I lose my breathe while talking. It was one of my most biggest wishes-- and it's coming true!!
Tonight you should wish on a star~ you never know who may be listening!!!
So the heart doesn't yearn what it doesn't know, right? Right!
Except....when you leave the place you spent your entire childhood and realize what else is out there in the world. While I was in grade six my violin instructor set up a three day trip to Halifax, NS. There was fundraising involved which only heightened the anticipation of being away from your family for three days, being able to sleep in a hotel with friends, staying up WAY too late and eating junk food until you were bouncing of the bed.
That was the first time I had fallen in love with something intangible. It wasn't the lights, the shops, the business that kept my heart captive for those three days. It was something else. It was the air, the feeling of belonging, the "being there."
When I arrived home I remember my mother looking at me and knowing something had changed. I needed what that city had to offer and I wanted it yesterday. Immediately I started making plans on how I would live there when I was older. I was eleven years old and knew that I needed to be a part f that world.
Like most things, the path that I had set out for myself offered me more forks in the road then what my childhood plans could even imagine. I never did live in Halifax, but any chance I could get to go and visit I would jump on. While being there I would fall in love with the city over and over again. I was still in love- but the city and I had a long distance relationship.
I wish on stars. I have since I was a child and I still do now. I believe that being able to cast a wish into the universe and hoping that your wish is answered allows the heart to stay young and alive. Someone out there must have heard my wish after almost twenty years because I am moving to Halifax. To live! For at least five years. My husband's job is taking us there.
Since we found out, almost two months ago I have been giddy. I have awoken out of a deep sleep with my belly jumping with excitement. I lose my breathe while talking. It was one of my most biggest wishes-- and it's coming true!!
Tonight you should wish on a star~ you never know who may be listening!!!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
An Imperfect Moment
I have been absent from writing for too long. It's been busy and my life has been wrapped around so many other things. There are so many changes happening at this time and my blog was pushed to the side. But everyday thoughts swirled through my head, ideas about what I wanted to write about, or something I would like to write about in the future. Today I just had to do it
Tonight as I walked up the stairs I peeked into the living room and I just knew.
I saw Destyni snuggled on the couch with her most favorite blanket, getting over the worst flu that ever hit our house. I saw Jonathan playing on the floor with one of his cars chasing Alyson who was trying to run away using her new found freedom-- her legs.
I knew right at that moment that I was blessed. The moment wasn't perfect-- Destyni's face was still pale from feeling unwell, Jonathan was yelling a few decibels louder than my ears could handle and Alyson's legs weren't working quite strongly enough and she was minutes from tumbling down. It was being a mother in all its glory. I don't know a time when I felt more comfortable in who I was and what I was doing.
Tonight as I walked up the stairs I peeked into the living room and I just knew.
I saw Destyni snuggled on the couch with her most favorite blanket, getting over the worst flu that ever hit our house. I saw Jonathan playing on the floor with one of his cars chasing Alyson who was trying to run away using her new found freedom-- her legs.
I knew right at that moment that I was blessed. The moment wasn't perfect-- Destyni's face was still pale from feeling unwell, Jonathan was yelling a few decibels louder than my ears could handle and Alyson's legs weren't working quite strongly enough and she was minutes from tumbling down. It was being a mother in all its glory. I don't know a time when I felt more comfortable in who I was and what I was doing.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Fashion Sense
Destyni loves to get dressed in the mornings. She spends tons of time choosing the perfect outfit, making it one of her very own creations. It's quite amazing how well she can blend colors and styles together. I am a bit jealous, having her around during those sticky teenage years would have done me a world of good.
Before getting dressed today she told me all about what she was going to wear. She then asked me, "Mom, were you into fashion as much as I am when you were my age?" My mind goes skipping back to cotton candy pink polyester gym suits. The only answer I could come up with was, "Not quite."
Destyni wants to be a fashion designer when she grows up. She has sketches of outfits she wants to design, complete with accessories and shoes. She loves to walk around in my heels, and each and every time she asks if they fit her well enough to wear. I know that day will be here soon enough, when she is stealing my footwear from my closet.
Before getting dressed today she told me all about what she was going to wear. She then asked me, "Mom, were you into fashion as much as I am when you were my age?" My mind goes skipping back to cotton candy pink polyester gym suits. The only answer I could come up with was, "Not quite."
Destyni wants to be a fashion designer when she grows up. She has sketches of outfits she wants to design, complete with accessories and shoes. She loves to walk around in my heels, and each and every time she asks if they fit her well enough to wear. I know that day will be here soon enough, when she is stealing my footwear from my closet.
I love how she is gaining her own fashion sense and the way that she can put outfits together. A friend of mine gave me a great idea, to take her to a second hand store and let her choose all of her own clothing as well as accessories. Then she will be able to put outfits together using all of her own ideas. I love that she is aspiring to be something wonderful. Even if it turns out to just be a dream I am super excited to help her reach it!!!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Cozy In My Coupe
There's this car, a Cozy Coupe to be exact, that has been in our family for years. It was at my parents house for quite some time. I am sure that this car has more kilometers on it then my own. Destyni and my nephew Camron have driven it around countless times while visiting my parents.
When we moved away from home I don't think my mother could stand seeing it in the yard not being used. Before visiting one weekend they plunked the Cozy Coupe in the back seat of their car and brought it to our house. That's when this car became the love of Jonathan's life. Not a day passed for months that he didn't slip into that car and drive it all over the yard- Fred Flintstone style.
Now that Jonathan has grown so tall it seems that he is a bit big for this little car. Fortunately someone else is in line patiently waiting for the chance to drive the coupe.
Destyni and Jonathan may need to teach her the ropes. I wonder what we are going to do with the car after our children all outgrow it? It's definitely a classic. Is there a toy your child plays with that you know you will never get rid of?
When we moved away from home I don't think my mother could stand seeing it in the yard not being used. Before visiting one weekend they plunked the Cozy Coupe in the back seat of their car and brought it to our house. That's when this car became the love of Jonathan's life. Not a day passed for months that he didn't slip into that car and drive it all over the yard- Fred Flintstone style.
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| Jonathan parked his car in front of his house |
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| "Where is the steering wheel in this thing?" |
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Three Minutes
I had a perfect moment yesterday, these moments are hard to come by these days. I find myself running from here to there, not sitting for more than a few minutes, scarfing down meals, rushing to the next chore, the next need...on and on and on.
The only hint that reminds me that I have been racing around all day is the ache that my heels give me when I have been on them for more than fourteen straight hours.
I don't want to forget these days though, but this is the time in my life when I need to get so many tasks completed. There are times when I just want to run away for a few hours, escape the housework, cooking meals, little things that are so mundane and uneventful but still need to be done. I can't get away though, I have children that need me, I have a job and loads of responsibility. So I've started grasping little wee moments of time.
Yesterday I heated my tea up in the microwave for the third time and I went and sat sideways on our love seat. I adore our love seat, it fits my length perfectly. When I am sitting with my back against the arm of it my feet gently brush the other arm. It's my most favorite place to rest, and it's placed in front of our living room window so I can daydream while watching the clouds roll by
I sat with my tea and thought of all the things that I wanted to write about. I just sat there and daydreamed.
It lasted about three minutes before I heard Alyson upstairs in her crib having a conversation with Wallace, her new stuffed puppy dog. Although three minutes doesn't seem like a long time yesterday it was the perfect amount of time.
The only hint that reminds me that I have been racing around all day is the ache that my heels give me when I have been on them for more than fourteen straight hours.
I don't want to forget these days though, but this is the time in my life when I need to get so many tasks completed. There are times when I just want to run away for a few hours, escape the housework, cooking meals, little things that are so mundane and uneventful but still need to be done. I can't get away though, I have children that need me, I have a job and loads of responsibility. So I've started grasping little wee moments of time.
Yesterday I heated my tea up in the microwave for the third time and I went and sat sideways on our love seat. I adore our love seat, it fits my length perfectly. When I am sitting with my back against the arm of it my feet gently brush the other arm. It's my most favorite place to rest, and it's placed in front of our living room window so I can daydream while watching the clouds roll by
I sat with my tea and thought of all the things that I wanted to write about. I just sat there and daydreamed.
It lasted about three minutes before I heard Alyson upstairs in her crib having a conversation with Wallace, her new stuffed puppy dog. Although three minutes doesn't seem like a long time yesterday it was the perfect amount of time.
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