Monthly Archives: March 2013

Random Acts of Kindness

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Driving home today a car approaching me flashed his lights a couple of times. This, folks, is the universal sign telling me to slow down – danger ahead. Sometimes there is an accident or an object in the road but more often than not, it’s an officer watching for speeders.

I love the fact that strangers are watching out for each other. I truly believe that the world would be a safer and more loving place if we merely took better care of each other. Every day I try my best to contribute to the good of our planet and my fellow earthlings. Some days I accomplish more than others. I try my best not to over look people in need. For example, a while back I noticed an elderly woman struggling with her shopping cart. I offered to assist her and help load her groceries into her car. To my pleasure, she accepted and seemed relieved. Hey, you never know if your actions will get misinterpreted. Funny, but a couple of days later, my mother mentioned how helpful people were to her while she was searching for items in a store. I was overjoyed to hear her say this.

It’s amazing to me how fulfilling random acts of kindness can be. Most efforts take only a thought and a moment to act. However, the rewards for the recipient and giver tend to make a big difference in their lives. The fact that someone took a moment to flash their lights at me perhaps saved me the time and cost of a traffic ticket and made an impression on me that I just had to write about it. By the way, two other people flashed their lights at me during my ride home.

In Case of Emergency CALL

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I was talking to my mom the other day and she mentioned going shopping by herself. All of a sudden, I had a vision of an accident that left her unconscious without information for a 1st responder that would assist in contacting my dad, my brother or myself. I know I may sound like an alarmist but the fact is my parents are octogenarians and having a challenging time navigating independently these days. Besides, they do not have to cause an accident, just become unconscious because of one. Accidents happen all the time.

Before I was married, I never really thought about accidents. However, after I was married and especially after I became a mother, I started to think about it. I remember mountain biking by myself and realizing I had no ID on my person, and, if I became unconscious, there was no information to assist anyone in locating my husband or identifying myself.  Therefore, I started carrying my husband’s business card in my wallet, in my car, and in the pouch on my bike. However, after thinking of my parents navigating the world on their own, I decided to make an emergency contact card.  It simply states In Case of Emergency CALL, listing the other’s spouse, my brother and myself. In fact, I also made one for my husband and myself. A friend suggested that I laminate them, which I did – great idea! I may be overreacting but really, it couldn’t hurt and it gives me a sense of comfort.

I know the next of kin are eventually contacted but I would rather facilitate the process. Have you thought about how people are contacted during emergency situations? What have you done to aid the process?