i forgot about this one…
earlier tonight my girl and i went out for a bike ride. halfway into it we heard a lot of sirens and noticed they were congregating in our neighborhood. i saw a firetruck travel down one of our side streets – just a few blocks away. i felt drawn to follow.
we were able to locate the area and house in which the truck had traveled. upon arriving i noticed every type of emergency agency had a vehicle there. sheriff. county. ambulance. police. very intense.
we passed by a group of younger people who were watching what was going on – they were talking among themselves about this and that – but not about what was going on.
we then rode up and stopped by another group of people – smaller group – and they were were talking, laughing with one another – again also watching what was going on.
i asked if anyone knew what was occurring. my girl and i ride past the particular house in need of assistance regularly. looking around i also noticed other groups of neighbors out to see what was happening.
i just watched quietly. i noticed i couldn’t participate in conversation. i had this need to just remain in silence and send healing energy while also feeling that sense of “oh no” in my heart – sympathy/empathy. so that’s what i did.
in time i felt uncomfortable remaining – as did my girl – so we left for home. we talked about what we had seen on our travel home and both of us pretty much let the conversation end by reaffirming our hope for all at the home to be ok.
as i sit here i think back on the different ways people react and respond when seeing such things. i think back to the times i’ve seen accidents and the “rubber necking” i have done – each time the heaviness i have felt in my heart and the thoughts i automatically put out.
we have a natural curiosity to want to know details when we see people in danger/need/in harms way. our common connection comes online. we remember how precious life is – how powerful it can be – and how equally fragile too – at the same moment. i shared this with my girl.
and on this day, as i wrap things up before bed, i remain reflective (how seeing such situations brings me right down to earth in this NOW moment – blocking out all the crazy “out there”) – and curious (what happened? are they ok?)……..and even ponder how people can engage in social-type conversation when observing such situations….and yet i also know too that feeling into the power of such a situation can be very uncomfortable so such light conversation can be a welcome relief….
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victoria
