Some days I'm inspired by the actions of others. Yesterday wasn't one of them.
I took a 1/2 day off of work to enjoy the afternoon and hang out with some friends. While sitting in a left turn lane, waiting to get on the highway, I looked to my right and saw a beat up Ford Taurus with a handicap tag hanging in the window, stopped in the far right lane with several cars backed up behind it, and cars whizzing by in the left lane.
A few seconds later, an elderly man (looked to be in his 80's) got out and, while holding on to the car to keep him upright, shuffled his way to the front of the car to open the hood. His car was so far to the left of the right lane that he was actually slightly into the left lane, and he was in danger of being hit by the many cars in the left lane that, not only did not stop to help, but didn't even slow down.
There was a young man, maybe 25, in the car behind him, and I thought to myself, "he'll get out and help...I'm sure he'll get out and help." He didn't get out and help. His biggest concern was finding a break in the traffic to get around the Taurus and go on his way.
Meanwhile, I could see the man stooped over the engine compartment, clearly not knowing what to do, and breaking my heart as I began to feel a measure of how helpless he must feel. He left the hood up and made his way back around the car, getting in to the driver seat and sitting there, defeated.
I decided to cross traffic and try and help him, just as my light turned green to turn onto the highway. I got honked at and flipped off in my attempt to get across the lane of people in such a hurry that they couldn't even slow down to safely pass someone stranded in the middle of the road, or wait 30 seconds to complete their turn onto the highway.
I pulled my car up about 50 feet in front of the Taurus and then took my own life into my hands by walking up to the driver's door to ask if I could help...waving traffic around and away as best I could.
The man had difficulty communicating, but handed me a piece of paper with a tow company's name and phone number on it. From what I could make out, they had just helped him jump the battery shortly before the car died. I told him I would call them to come back, but that we needed to get his car over to the curb where it would be safer. I could hear the panic in his voice as he told me that he could not push his car.
I assured him that I would take care of the pushing, all he needed to do was put the car in neutral and steer. He nodded and I moved to the back of the car. Once again, I was greeted by honking horns and annoyed drivers, all in a hurry to get around us and get on their way. It wasn't that difficult to push the car, but it took some effort to get it moving, particularly in my flip flops. I pushed the car about 40 feet, and again, no one stopped.
I called the tow company and he said he'd send the tow truck back. It was loud and difficult to communicate in the traffic, so I did my best to let the man know that help was on the way and went back to my car. Since the battery was dead, his car had no flashers, and my car was in front of his, so all I could do was put my flashers on and wait for the tow truck to return. While we waited, we endured more honking, dirty looks and indifference. Even when backed up at the red light, not a single person bothered to ask if we needed anything, or give any slight indication that they were concerned for anything other than getting where they were going.
After about 15 minutes, I called the tow company again, who explained that they couldn't get ahold of the tow driver, so I should probably call the police, which I did. In another 5-10 minutes a Cumberland Police officer showed up and relieved me of my post.
I'm not sure what happened after that...I went on to meet my friends and enjoy the afternoon. I don't deserve any accolades for my actions, and I'm not writing this because I want a pat on the back. I didn't do anything difficult, or even noteworthy. My only sacrifice was a few minutes of time.
What's noteworthy is what I didn't do. I didn't drive by in indifference. I didn't ignore a fellow human being in need. I'm disappointed and saddened that so many did.
