Perspective

There are moments in one’s life when things are put into perspective. These moments generally serve to define us in some way and their effects are sustained within one’s memory. Sadly, these moments are not usually of the joyous variety. But regardless of the pain, shock, and/or trauma that these moments bring in their wake I have full faith that they are another one of life’s lessons, which together comprise the fabric of life and living. You’re frankly not alive if you don’t feel, be it happiness or pain.

Okay, so now you’ve got to be wondering where that paragraph came from. It’s not my usual witty banter (at least that’s how I like to think of my mailers). Well it’s no secret that Monday mornings suck. They always have and they likely always will. There was nothing particular or different from other Mondays on the 8th of August 2005. I woke up, got prepped for the day, had my fifteen minutes of Internet time and then headed downstairs to through my stuff together for work and eat breakfast. As always, my mother drops me off at Kelvin Grove and Steeles and I cross the street and wait for the bus. While waiting for the light to change, I see an express bus pass me by…as always. But I’m not in a hurry to get to work (I budget my time accordingly) and I see several buses on the horizon. Upon getting on the bus, I hit the jackpot – a seat. I sit myself down and continue to listen to my mp3 player oblivious to the world. I know that it’s a matter of minutes before I commence my “power nap”.

It would be mere seconds before I was awakened from my slumber by a loud thud and the ensuring screams and biblical recitations by my fellow commuters. In light of recent events, my initial thought was that the thud was somehow tied to a shooting. I turned around in my seat to look out the window and found something equally disturbing – a woman lying in a clump by the median, her shoes still lying in the crosswalk area, a distraught driver and the stunned and semi-hysterical reactions of those on the bus.

I am no medical doctor. I have not taken science classes for four years but I do watch my fair share of medical dramas (yes, television is the ultimate educator) and I know that you don’t move victims of traumas such as these. This was a concept that I had to relay to the passengers on the bus. But sitting there, waiting for the ambulance to come, I could only feel three things – sick, numb and the thumping of my heart within my chest cavity. I didn’t see the accident happen (something that I’m very thankful for) but I did hear it. So I was unable to piece together what happened exactly, whether she was jaywalking to catch the bus that I was on or whether the taxi driver ran the red and hit her. Investigators are apparently still unsure (I talked to the policeman this morning when he was asking for more witnesses) but they’re fairly sure and it’s been reported that it was the former and not that latter. This brings a bit more ease in my heart for sure. Had it been the latter you must realize that I crossed that exact same crosswalk a mere four minutes before she did. Granted, there was no way that I would have missed that light since I was the one that pushed the button for it to change but yeah…

It was a tragedy and an unnecessary loss of someone with a lot of potential who had a lot to live for. I have since found out much about her because the world is really a small place and so is the business world.

So I guess what I learned Monday morning was that in spite of the fact that North American society demands that life be led at an incredibly fast pace, there are some things that cannot and should not be rushed. I’m ashamed to think of all the times that I’ve jaywalked and thus, gambled with my own life. I’ve always hated being late. But here’s something to remember, it’s much better to be late than to not show up at all.

Be safe.