The tone of today’s post has changed since I took these photographs last week. I took the shots with the intention of showing you this charming and very old, family run independent hardware store located within an easy walk to our home. This was a couple of days before the sad occurrence that has caused the story to change.
On Thursday morning I woke up to the sound of helicopters circling above. I have only ever awaken to this once before, a couple of years ago when a major fire destroyed several historic buildings nearby. That day, just as I did on Thursday, I knew something was wrong around our home.
I grabbed by ipad and searched for breaking news. The story was not good. A woman, aged 30, who had been walking along the street only steps from where these pictures were taken, had been hit by a delivery truck and was trapped and conscious underneath. When I checked again a couple of hours later, I discovered that she had died.
From what can be discerned, the driver simply did not see her. This could have been caused by the sun that would have been shining directly into his eyes as he drove eastward as the sun was rising. Understandably, he is distraught.
I can’t stop thinking about her. Her family has asked that her name not be released so I have no idea who she was. But what I do know is that it was a lovely spring morning and at one moment this woman was walking along a street where I walk pretty well every single day, and then she lost her life there.
While out to see a nice show on Saturday night, my mind was full of thoughts of this person who would never again have the chance to enjoy a show. I had to force my mind back to where I was, so as not to bring down the celebratory mood surrounding me, as my friends and I bid one of our group a happy birthday.
I checked again this morning to see if there was any further news on the story, after the week-end. There is nothing to add, except a follow-up story about pedestrian deaths in the city. So far this year there have been 11. It has been determined that it is a 50/50 split in regards to who is at fault in pedestrian versus vehicular accidents. Pedestrians are warned to not wear earphones, talk on the phone, or read, as they walk the streets. And they are reminded to always look around and watch where they are going.
Such are the reasonable safety warnings, but along with those I want to remind you and myself, that life is fragile and we must always try to live in the moment and enjoy it. While reading a book or waiting in a line-up or sweeping the floor, stop and think about the fact that you are there doing whatever it is that you are doing, be it tedious or joyful.
I’m sorry this could not be a cheerful post, as there is no way I could have posted these pictures and ignored what had just occurred so nearby to where they were taken. Nor could I bring myself to not post them and pretend that this awful thing hadn’t just happened right in my midst.
loulou
Loulou, that is a really meaningful and nice post. I am glad you took the time to write about this accident, and this woman you didn’t even know. I know you are thinking that it could’ve been you….I’ve been in the same situation with the kids several times here in the city where an accident happens at an intersection we were JUST at minutes before. Once it was such a close call (thankfully a two minute lapse) that I had to run into a nearby dry cleaner with my daughter and try to stop shaking.
The photos are lovely and fitting.
We can’t live a full life if we constantly fear the possibility of death, but things like this do make me very fearful. However this will make me much more careful out there on the streets, and not as concerned about pissing drivers off by only crossing the road once they have come to a complete stop. And to look over my shoulder behind me when crossing an intersection. I was very interested to read the statistic that 1/2 the time a pedestrian is injured, it is a result of their own error. May this story result in bringing these odds down by changing ones own behavior.
very sad story, things in life can be so fragile, we can’t take any moments for granted . xo
It’s a somber reminder of just how lucky we are to be living and breathing at any point in time. My grandfather was hit by a car around 2.5 years ago while walking in the neighborhood and died as a result of those injuries. You’re absolutely right about observing all those things as a pedestrian
I’m so sorry to hear about your grandfather Rooth. That is so sad.
Reading this makes me feel so incredibly sad for the loss the woman’s family is experiencing right now. There really is just no rhyme or reason to things like this – and I always find myself asking, why. Life is a gift indeed that we should never take for granted. xx Marisa
It is so true Marisa. It’s the most precious of gifts, one which I vow to become much more protective of. I know there are behaviors I can personally be more careful with, and I shall be. Because I so love this wonderful gift of life.
We are constantly aware of how fragile life is. We are both getting older, we only met 6 years ago, and we want to live life to the fullest. Hence our decision to start living this fun new life we have chosen. You only get one chance at this life, live it like you mean it.
Loving life such as you two do together is a wonderful thing that must be enjoyed and guarded carefully. You’re an inspiration.
A few years ago a woman was gardening in her backyard in my neighborhood. A friend from school lost control of her car and ran into the backyard of this woman and the woman died, gardening in her own backyard…Since then I have constantly thought about the fact that life is so precious and to be alive every single day is really a privilege. It also made me super careful when I’m walking along the street but sometimes things are just flukes that neither party can control. I don’t want to stop listening to music on my iPod because of a fear of death… you know what I’m saying?
That’s terrible about that woman, Laura. Goes to show that you never know when an awful thing might happen and you’ve touched on the key, which is to really appreciate every day. I agree that we can’t live in fear though, because where is the enjoyment in that?
Thanks for your thoughts Loulou. Sometimes blogs stay in the illusion of a perfect world. I am glad you did not ignore the imperfect and let us share in it. The beauty of life is in both the good and the bad. Such a stark reminder to cherish life and each day. I read something yesterday that makes me feel the same way…”It’s a new day, a day that never existed before in the entire course of history, and you are alive in it.”
:( That’s terrible
This was a lovely blog post.
I had a similar experience last weekend, when the stage collapsed at the Radiohead concert that I was going to be at. One man died, in an accident, but it could have been more, and it could have happened while I was there. The Eaton Centre incident a few weeks ago hit me too.
I won’t live my life in fear of death, but I will tell my family and friends how much they mean to me, and try to take in as much greatness in this life as I possibly can.