After the impact of a white truck barrelling backwards into my car, my immediate reaction prompted me to open my driver’s side door. As I pushed against  my door, I saw the white truck rushing away, ready to abandon me and responsibility.

A hit and run. So many thoughts started swirling in my head. A small little pain hit my back and I grabbed my cell phone. I attempted to take a picture of the license plate, but wasn’t close enough to zoom into the cactus adorned metal plate. My eyes blurred, realizing there wasn’t much I could do, trapped inside my car. Even if I could manage to make it out the car door, was I going to run across the intersection to catch the white truck? I reached again to try to open the door, the smell of petroleum filling the air.

My window open, my eyes darted to a mini-van who decided to stop.

“Are you alright?” She asked, her face concerned. I didn’t respond.

“I saw that white truck pulling away. I am going to call the police. I am going to stop the truck for you and come back and check on how you are doing.”  I managed to say, “Ok.”

Minutes later, the minivan’s mission a success, and the triumvarate of resolution appeared like a thunderstorm. The police officer helped me out of my door, while the minivan “caught” the white truck. We conferenced in the middle of the road, the officer asking me relevant questions regarding the accident.

The woman from the minivan, stepped out, and asked me how I was doing and if I needed anything else. I thanked her and waited as the police officer finished her investigation.

A stranger stopped for me. She didn’t know me. There wasn’t anything in it for her, except heartfelt thanks from someone she didn’t know. Her actions caused me to think about the number of  car accidents I’ve witnessed while driving by, taking a turn or waiting at a traffic light. I am startled to make this confession. I never stopped to ask the victims of these circumstances, if they needed any assistance. I can’t think of a reason why I didn’t stop, other than, I was too busy or running late for my destination. There isn’t a good excuse.

There is a certain amount of truth in believing that events happen for some reason. For me, I am going to keep this chain reaction moving. That woman stopped for me; and I will stop for another. These pieces of kindness we bestow on people we don’t even know are important. That white truck barrelling backward into me renewed my faith in the benevolence of a stranger.

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Have you stopped to render aid  at an accident scene ? Why or why not? Do you believe in the kindness of random strangers?