…’when a horseman falls off his horse…if he does not remount immediately, he will never have the courage to do so again’…
Have you ever been in a car accident? Well, we were on a business trip to Waterford Ireland, a group of five, six. As I had lived in Dublin, it was decided, I became the designated driver. Mind you, the year in Dublin, I didn’t drive much at all, as driving on the left side of the road is confusing. Well, we had a big rental car, larger than the Fiat I usually drove. I still don’t understand how I got us from the airport through Dublin, and on the road south, but instinctively, knowing quite a bit about the city, I got us there, and felt pretty proud about it.
Things were going well, and we arrived to Waterford safely. Many of the roads south were very narrow and curvy. So, after several days doing our business, and of course visiting the tourists destinations, and socializing till late night hours, it was time to return. The weather started to act up. It poured down and the windy weather was as brutal as it only can be on ‘the green island’, Ireland. I suggested some of the men do the drive back. But, no, they all agreed, I drove so well in the first place, I’d take them back too.
All I remember was some very dark, narrow road, looking through the front window, which was hammered with heavy rain and brown leafs. This was in the fall. Slowly we drove towards Dublin. Things was going ok. Then, of course, I was taking a left turn, and again being in the left lane, I totally misjudged the operation, and we all heard a loud, ugly sound of breaking metal. Not quite understanding ‘What was that?’, we stopped the car and all went outside in the rain, to take a look at the damage. The rental car, a brand new car of that year, I don’t remember what brand, but my failed left turn, had so to speak ruined the entire side of this exclusive car. I was in a shock, and felt of course bewildered. The car was still drivable, but I assured them, there were no way, I’d take the drivers seat again!
However, a co-worker insisted, after an accident, there is just one thing to do, get back in the car and drive, or you might never want to drive again. He told a story of how his oldest son, borrowed his car, on his first day with a drivers license, and totalled the car, but how his dad, told him to go driving again in moms car! So, all shaken, he forced me back in the drivers seat, and I got us back to the Dublin airport, again, I don’t know quite how. The rental car was of course insured, so guess we all could relax, me with a ’scape in the paint’ as they say.
Please send your stories (250 words max.) for selection to story@paulocoelhoblog.com.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks Heart, your story brings comfort for people who do not have much support in their lives and may feel guilty for something small. There are so many caring souls on this blog.
Thank you Nancy! Yes, caring souls are what we need.
Oh, you are all the sweetest people I know, here. My sincere thanks to Paula and Paulo for sharing my story on this space ‘of honor’ in the blog. A big thank you to Alexandra, to Adrian, to Johanne, Candideb and Savita. You always make me feel good, and I love to be in this community. May I pass on the ball to you all, to submit your stories here, especially I’m waiting for some melodic words from Annie, and some angelic words from Thelma. And as Santosh always says; ‘God Bless you all’!
Beautifully said. A ‘noble’ way of writing dearest Heart. I was transferred to Ireland, although I have never been there.. Thank you.
Driving on the ‘wrong’ side is dangerous, especially at night with heavy rain! Well which is the right and wrong side for … driving I do not know! In Cyprus we drive on the left, as in England, being a colony of England before.. Once we went to Greece by boat and took my small Fiat with us so that we would go around easily.. The very first moment in Piraeus, we made THE mistake and entered in the wrong lane.. Everyone was running against us. It was so frightening to go .. against the stream actually and not … metaphorically.
You are a beautiful heart “Heart”, this is the reason that you see us all ‘sweet and .. melodic’ and Paulo Coelho is our … DIRIGENT.
LOVE,
Thelma.
Great story! So glad to know, Heart, that neither you nor any of your passengers were hurt. A car can always be replaced! And congratulations on your bravery in getting behind the wheel again. I had a similar thing happen to me the first (and only) time I tried to drive in London. Leaving from the airport in a rental car, I went no more than a kilometer down the road before I ran over the median in the center, dividing the lanes. The car wasn’t severely damaged, but I was very shaken. At that point, I pulled over to the side, gave the wheel to my friend who was a long-time resident, and never drove there again. Now, just the thought of it terrifies me – I won’t even consider driving in the UK – because all I can think about is that accident. So, I suppose your friend gave very good advice, and you were very brave in following it: you overcame your fright before it had a chance to grow into a monster.
Thanks for sharing this.It was the best thing to do.It happens to everyone,and so we need to get back on the horse or the car ;)
Ha,reminds me the time with a rental car as well,when I crashed into big rocks,but instead of stopping evrything I kept on accelerating on the rock,haha,just picturing myself!that was worth seeing,I always do some stupid things like that,I’m a bit like the character of Desperate Housewives,you know Susan Mayer,lol.:D
Thanks for your story. I always say “Falling is human, Getting up again is Divine.” With the help of God, with faith and his force, I always managed and manage every moment to bounce back. Some call it the force of the resilience, and that is the force of the human combined with God’s Force. Jojo.
Great Heart, thanks for sharing. Good story, and it fits my case. Not for car accident, but for having to fight with my fears. Sometimes one think just too much. Better just trying again and again. Good you are safe now, love your talks in that blog. Take care
Love
Alexandra
description ….
wind blow strongly, and I have already started to caut.am started with great hope to the great challenge: The objective was to gasi.as given you anything to make you see bdata even a smile, I can explore the depth of your eyes …. everyone seemed foreign to me because I knew that this planet was not the right place for me ….. this is desert land, and you have become like a pyramid, a where I try to get me and the soul to rest forever in the heart of the pyramid tale.soarele is the deep love that both a voice and know ……. this is the bridge between me and the force that created us …… and the bridge to the future I would like to spend together …….
is so hard to see that no one can help when you nevoie.parca all turn into sand and disappear when we need in this journey … I will guide the sun and the stars because …. the sky is a mirror that refleta the eye and heart mirror tale.este my heart, and is very feicita … because it’s the only one who had occasion to consider the most beautiful face, that of a goddess … … the mirror does not reflect only light you show me her mind pamanteni the dark, and so I feel protected and I can continue calatoria.atunci sky when you cry, I sit and think. I know those moments in the sky is revenge, because somebody has tried to supere.sincer, hate fulgerele.atunci I realize that people do not deserve to love as always wrong and never admit it ……. I love sunny days and starry nights, then know that you’re happy and smile as you protect the planet ….. when you said something I always hear the voice of wind, and understand everything I want it spui.in world adventurer I am looking to achieve great treasures of universului.pentru me that you’re my precious comoara.nu want to become treasure mea.vreau just sit next to you in the trunk of happiness and all the moments we spend together. not emerald, not bijuterie.insa ador these creations, not even if I like something bright ……… I orbit, but at the same time I think I found a few things that people know …. I found you. . fugitnu but you still know why, and I started looking up, just waiting now retrieving ……………………….. ……love,adrian…………………