Yesterday my day was abruptly interrupted
by a noise that sounded as if a bomb had just gone off
It happened while driving down the highway
following my girlfriend to a local reservoir
for a swim with the kids
We were both driving about 65 mph
me following her when it happened
I am not sure how my brain actually calculated what had just occurred
Since I had only witnessed it through my peripheral vision
and then through my rear view window
Which now reflected shattered glass all over the road
A tall figure struggling to keep his footing
Immediately I pulled to the side
Slammed on my brakes
Running toward the car
Parked on the shoulder of the road
There he was
His head hanging down toward the brutally hot asphalt
His hand bracing himself along the side of a now none existent back window
His bike thrown to the side of the road
Blood streaming to the ground from a face I had yet to meet
I didn’t look… I never looked…
At his face
Ripped apart from the impact
Of a man smashing his bike
25 mph head first into the back of a parked car
I knew it was bad… I knew it was beyond bad
I immediately stood behind him
Wrapped one arm around his waist
The other around his chest
Securing his balance
While calling 911
Yelling to my friend
Bring a towel
We pressed the towel to his face
to stop the bleeding
I held him
As if cradling a child
Pressing my body against his back
My hand atop his chest
Noticing every breath he took
Gauging every beat of his heart
The calm I felt was extraordinary
As my thoughts disappeared
As we stood their breathing in and out in unison
As we… waited
The fire department
State patrol
Paramedics
Arrived simultaneously
In what felt to be hours
Later found out it had merely been minutes
They were professional
Kind- hearted
Giving way to a knowing
Everything was going to be just fine
The cavalry had arrived
The woman who had pulled her car to the side
In order to take a phone call
(The right thing to do)
Was trembling violently
Completely incapable of exiting her car
The entire time
Paralyzed by fear
My heart broke wide open
With love and compassion
For them both
As we all respond to trauma differently
There is no fault
Blame or praise
For one reaction over the other
He was in the zone
You know the one you get into
When you allow your thoughts to leave
Your body to run on autopilot
Delighting in a moment of freedom
For the biker
That zone must have been a beautiful place
A meditative place
Because he just never saw it coming
I feel incredibly blessed
To have been at the right place at the right time
I feel even closer to my friend
Who ran back and forth between all our cars
Grabbing towels
Checking on the kids
Comforting the driver
Whispering words of love and encouragement
Into the bikers blood soaked ear
I went to visit him in the hospital today
I needed to see him again and know that he was ok
I also knew he would have no memory of what happened
That I could fill in some pieces for him and his family
They were grateful for my time
I was equally grateful to have the opportunity
To replace the image I had in my mind of him
The one that kept me up most of the night before
Feeling a bit queasy and completely shaken
For now I could see
He had been sewn, stitched and repaired
Allowing for what was a beautiful smile
The chance to return upon his healing
I am happy to report that he is doing fine
And looking forward, I am sure, to his next ride
And for me …
I am feeling as if time has stopped for awhile
Asking that I reflect on how precious life is
Asking that I pick my head up and “look” at where I am going
Asking that I move forward with intention, grace and purpose
Demanding that I own the fact that I truly love to help people
It gives me such a strong sense of purpose
Requesting that I continue to follow my heart
And always stop to help a stranger
It will truly nourish your heart and soul
