If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters. ~Alan Simpson
There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience. ~French Proverb
Don't try to be different. Just be good. To be good is different enough.
~Arthur Freed
For lack of a better title, "What an interesting day ... it has been. I could utter many other more colorful adjectives to draw on, but then I might have to "rate" it, ha! *smile*
The irony of life. I've been trying to get more exercise with small little things - like parking further away than the front door of places I visit. I also park a few spaces away from other cars, to minimize dings and dents. I don't have a special car, but it is my only car.
The true irony of it all might be boring to some, so I will spare you the ugly details! Let's just say, this car has sustained more dents and dings than normal in the short time I've owned it. Let me also say that few have been because of me!
Okay, on with it ... I am standing in the check out line at a convenience store. A young boy came in, approached me and asked if I happened to be the owner of the (blah, blah, blah). I knew, already, this was not going to be good news. He advised me that he had accidentally clipped my car. His mother happened to be with him.
Leaving my merchandise on the counter, we went out to take a look at the damage. It was more than a "scrape", for sure. It dug deep enough to take the paint off - on his car as well, so it mattered not that we both had the same color of vehicle. People are so sue hungry now days it seems ... lucky for him he hit someone who is not that way.
I didn't even get their information. I hope he realizes how lucky he is today. I tried to use my sense of humor, along with a little "motherly" advice. I thanked him for "doing the right thing" and at least fessed up to me about hitting my car. I did ask him, point blank, if his mother had not been with him, would he have come into the store and fessed up? He responded, saying, "No, probably not, I'm just being honest." I appreciated his honesty more than anything.
I could have really ruined his day. I'm guessing he's not even an emancipated adult yet. I could have taught him a hard lesson, however, then up goes both of our insurance! His mother and I got along well, which helped. She offered money ... I told her perhaps a better deal would be a DRINK so I could go home and sulk, and tie on a good one, haha!. Later in the conversation she made a comment about treating me to "a beer". I told her I was not a cheap date, didn't like beer and that it had better be a bottle of rum!!! *smile* She knows where I work.
As for her son, who didn't plan on it, but ended up playing a little bumper cars with my car ...
I asked him if he'd ever met "Karma", and told him "She's a bitch!" I also told him that if that ever happens again, "Pretend your mom is WITH you, will you?" ... and tapped him lightly on his shoulder! I hope he will recall the "grace" I extended to him, and not just take it all for granted.
We exchanged names (which I've forgotten already), shook hands, and went on our separate ways. I told her it was nice to meet her, and thanked her for being a mother of moral fiber enough to make her son do the right thing. When I shook his hand, I told him I was not glad to meet him, under the circumstances! *smile*
Yep, it's "just a car", but it is my "only" car! I just couldn't find it in me, to be nasty or to be vindictive. I've was young and foolish once (yes, really, I was) and had some silly car incidences myself. I wanted him to learn a lesson, but didn't want to cause either of us any grief. I feel I did the right thing. I was "his" angel today, I think!
~nr lenz