A few days ago a friend called and said she had two extra tickets to see Ian Anderson. Would we like to go? Yes!!
We planned to meet for dinner together in the city, and we left early. I was driving, relaxed as could be, and also attentive, or so I thought. The light on Van Ness turned green. I shifted into first and stepped gently on the gas. Then, I saw a car running the red light and coming right toward me. She didn't even slam on the brakes, just rammed right into me. So, my beloved car was taken away on a flatbed truck. We took a taxi to meet our friends, and enjoyed the communion of dinner and went to the show, which was great, and they brought us home.
The good news is we weren't hurt. The bad news is it brings up vulnerability, which is a good thing, as to awareness and appreciation of moments, but it brings up all the what if's. What if I had been just a little more forward and she had hit the side of the car where I was sitting instead of the front. Oh, and another odd thing. I know the woman who hit us. When I told my friend that I knew the woman, she said, "Well, of course, you know practically everyone," which is not even close to true, but what an odd coincidence. I hate driving, am rarely in the city, and prefer to take the ferry if I do go, and now, my car is hit by a driver in the city who doesn't understand red and yellow lights, and my mistake, and a huge mistake it was, was in thinking that green meant go. I actually do know better than that, but we were in such a lovely flow, and now, it is odd to know my beloved car is not in the garage and will not be there for awhile and so it is. We are not hurt, and yet that really isn't so. I do feel hurt and scared, but, at least tonight we do have power and tonight I appreciate it. Nothing like a little vulnerability to make one appreciate light.
More good news is how helpful everyone was, but I realize part of that is because I have so many cards. I pulled out my driver's license, my insurance card, my AAA card, my credit card, because now I know my AAA membership only covers five miles of towing. The taxi driver was from Sudan and we had a good conversation with him and all the people in the restaurant were extra attentive and concerned, and yet it feels surreal. I don't quite know where to put it all, but I guess it will be clear tomorrow when all the details are there to be dealt with and for tonight, it is a lovely evening and we are not hurt and we are well and I feel vulnerable and even scared. Tiger has now crawled into my lap, to let me know he is here, so all is indeed well, and there is fear.
