When we pass a car parked on the side of the road with the emergency lights flashing, most of us would stop to see if we can help, right? Well, from what I observed today, it turns out that most of us keep on driving. Generally, we think we have to for so many reasons. Traffic might get jammed if we stop, we would be late for work, a meeting or shopping or school, it's far too cold, I'm not dressed for it, etc. etc. We tend to rationalize that someone else is on their way to assist this person, so we don't really need to do anything.
Well today, I passed, yes me too because everyone else was doing it, a lady who had stopped on Prince Philip Drive, in St. John's, Newfoundland, with the emergency lights flashing. You should know that this isn't the safest place in the capital city to be stopped. It was a busy traffic period. Everyone was on their way to work, meetings, shopping and school. It was also -10 Celsius with a wind chill factor of -20.
I noticed that this stranded lady had retrieved a "mini" spare from the trunk, that marvel of engineering that looks more like round "tuit" than something you would drive on. She was ice dancing around to the front outside wheel with a lug wrench in hand. I also noticed that there was no one, no not one, stopped to assist her.
As I passed by, my mind began to doubt my decision, though it was as common as the cars on the road this morning. I thought of the time when my wife had received help from a street angel with changing a flat tire, before I got there. I thought of the time when a mechanic client of mine stopped and changed my tire in the "Active" pouring rain. Then I thought, what if this person doesn't have anyone coming or if she gets hurt trying to change her own tire. Her flat was on the traffic side and there was a real risk that someone not paying attention might just leave a grill print in the backside. Honestly, I couldn't leave her there without checking to see if there was anything I could do. Who could with all these thoughts racing through your mind?
I took the next turn and circled back to get onto Prince Philip Drive again and came up behind her disable car, park my car with the emergency lights flashing and jammed on my tuque. I made sure the car was a good distance back in case someone hit it. At least they would not run right into hers. I got out and approached her with the first empathetic question that came to mind. "Having a bad Tuesday?" I said.
She was a nurse just getting off work. She had just called her husband and he was on his way. I jacked up the car and proceeded to remove the flat tire. Her husband arrived at that point and graciously took over the job thanking me for stopping. I shook their hands and left her my card and gave them my best wishes feeling confident that things were well in hand. Yes, I had a little grease on my hands but I felt happy.
Now I doubt that they will be calling me tomorrow and listing their home just because I stopped. I didn't do it for that reason. And, please don't think that I am trying to blow my own horn! I thought I would share the start to my day with you because you never know when your turn to help someone else will come along.
I believe that when we do an act of kindness for someone, it lightens their load and when they find out your profession, it will reflect well on whatever your industry and everyone in it. So in doing an act of kindness for one person, we are actually giving a little something to all.
If you have an opportunity to help someone stranded on the road this week, try not to view it as an inconvenience. It just might be your chance to give something to a whole lot of ordinary people just like us. And you know what? It will make your day just a little brighter!
R. Greg Osmond is a Platinum Award winning Realtor serving St. John's and surrounding areas, Newfoundland and Labrador for over 20 years and can be reached at 709-895-2500. Visit www.rgregosmond.com for further information. Find him on facebook at R. Greg Osmond.
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