Evaluate your Perspective...

Odd tittle to a blog entry I know, but this was a lesson I learnt today that kinda shook my world. I must admit I have been gifted with a certain amount of calmness with regards to handling a crisis and today was no exception.

The scenario is; I am stopped at a red light waiting for the green light to go when a vehicle drives into the back of me. My first thought was thank you for head rests and the second was thanks for the foresight to have a 'mean' towbar installed when buying the bakkie (truck). I confirmed after climbing out that the occupants of the other vehicle were fine. One male african adult driving and two female african passengers. I checked the damage to my vehicle which considering the force of impact very very light indeed. Total damage appears to be the towing electrical plug smashed and the bracket that holds it to the bumper totally bent back.Other than that the bumper and frame appear to be undamaged.

His vehicle sadly will need quite a bit of work which will include the bumper, number plate and holder and his grill was bent back. He couldnt open his bonnet which was an indication that the latch and grill was pushed back a fair ways. There was no aggresion involved at first as they were a bit shocked. I collected my diary and proceeded to write down details after greeting everyone first. Now the intersection is chaos and the people are starting to hoot and act like idiots which I dont mind really as there is nothing we can do till he gets his car off my tow hook. Now Steven the other driver is questioning the damage to my vehicle saying I don't need his details as there is no damage. Included in his mini rampage he included the fact that the damage to the electrical point could not have possibly been from this accident as he hit the tow hook. I did not even take the time to explain to him otherwise, and continued taking his details.

His two passangers got out and started questioning and harrasing me to forget it and just move on. As I explained, we just need to report it to the cops and the damage he can sort out with me later. This upset him and he kinda got a bit uptight. I had the details I needed and bade them farewell. We did not shake hands as he was primed for a fight so I left. After my days work was done I made my way to the police station and reported it for insurance and clarifications sake. I do not want Steven claiming that I reversed into him or anything similar.

And here follows my actual point to this whole narrative...

Whilst in the station I am lamenting my woes to the policeman and complaining how my day was disrupted and inconvenienced by this incident. I had better things to do with my time etcetera etcetera. It was at this time that a woman and her teenage daughter arrive at the station and I overheard them say that they wanted to open a case against another woman. Arrogantly the first thought that flew through my mind was one of just let it be. Whatever she has stolen from you or your daughter can be replaced, ie; a cell phone or a little money or maybe a case of malicious damage against property or something similar. When the cop asked her what was it that she wanted to charge her with, her answer floored me completely. She wanted to lay a charge of kidnapping against the other woman. This 'other woman' had yesterday gone to a creche and abducted her daughter.

I finished up my paperwork and left and the whole way home and even now I could slap myself for doing the typical human thing and that was judge without the facts. What could possibly be wrong with my insignificant day when other people had such a load to bear. Imagine going to creche to pick up your daughter only to find out that someone else had arrived and taken her. The only fact this woman had was the time. No other details were available. I can not even begin to imagine what that family is going through right now.

And here I was bitching about my R 200 or R 300 rand electrical socket damage. And that is why I chose the title "Evaluate your Perspective" We have so, so much to be thankful for and i for one will definately make a concious effort not to bitch about my lot in life again.

To the Mother and her family -
My thoughts and best wishes to you and yours during this trying time.