Pardon me Mary, for sharing your blog title for the day but I don't know what else to call this.
You've seen the car commercials touting their agility and how ABS (anti-lock braking system) can help you avoid an accident. I usually think to myself that I doubt that I could react as fast as those drivers in the commercials that have the whole thing orchestrated for them.
Today, Christmas morning, Pat, Kanook and I were home alone after having a houseful of family over last night. As is usually the case when I am not at work, we go out for breakfast and let bacon grease splatter in someone else's kitchen. Coming home, we made a detour to see if a food store was open and then took a little used side road towards home. What happened next could have been a scene from one of the aforementioned commercials.
As we were about to pass the entrance to a drug store that was open today, there was a car coming from the opposite direction when suddenly a car from the store's parking lot pulled out into the street in front of us! It was a situation that I know I could not help but collide with that car. It is hard to describe what happened next as it all took about two seconds. As the exiting car realized his mistake, I stomped on the brakes and immediately felt the pulsation of the ABS working. The exiting car managed to stop about halfway into our lane. I knew that I would slide into it but for whatever reason, instinctively steered around and between it and the oncoming car safely, all the while the ABS working the brakes, allowing the car to be steered.
Both the oncoming car and I stopped. Each of us gathering our wits about what just happened. The exiting car sped off without stopping, no doubt fearing some words from either of us drivers. I was not angry. Both Pat and I were amazed that everyone safely came thought the event without so much as a scratch on person or property.
I am a pilot and a motorcyclist. Both require a little more skill than driving a car. However, I know my limitations and at 55 years old I am not as quick as I was in my youth. I'm not a believer in guardian angels, but it does make me wonder, if not for me, was there some kind of intercession for one of the other drivers or passengers?
Two seconds. I will be thinking about this for a long time to come. I no longer do not believe in miracles. Merry Christmas.
