Saving the Day on my Bike

[smurfalicious]

smurf there was a REASON it was slow that day.. Those women needed you, but their angels couldn't get to them. So they summoned you.
THANK YOU

Thanks, I needed that. I was feeling really heroic at first and now it's weighing pretty heavy on me. I don't think it was just their angels involved. I really think this was kind of a passage for me. To be able to make things right felt good, but until I know the results it rings hollow.

Everything happens for a reason though, and I'm confident I wouldn't have left work early if it wasn't going to benefit this girl and her mother. It was an act both selfish and selfless but I hope it pans out.

[Zen]

Thank you, Smurf.
All too often people will do nothing in certain situations.

[lph]

smurf - no-one should have to go through stuff like that growing up, but that experience was probably what triggered you to understand what was going on so fast and DO something about it. Bad things can lead to good things. I think this is one of those.

[RoadRaven]

I don't know how to begin this because I'm still a little rattled and maybe what I did was stupid to a point.

I don't think it was stupid at all
You didn't get involved with them/the "altercation" which would have placed you at risk and perhaps incited further rage, but you were still an advocate for the powerless in that position

You know what its like to have no power, and on this day you rose beyond that and not only took back your power, but also endeavoured to help the woman and child get some power in their lives too.

You did the best you could and thats all anyone can ask
Thats all I asked for once, and someone did something similar to you, and it did make a difference

You are a fine human being, Smurf
Thank you

[Biciclista]

Dear Smurf
You're not the only one who was at the mercy of so called parents when you realized that no one was going to protect you except you.
I am proud to know that you called the police on these people. Phonecalls from strangers sometimes do more good than from family members because you don't have a personal agenda.

You made the world a little better.

[jesvetmed]

Just adding my Thank You here... and admiration. We all too often feel like it isn't our business. But everyone else is right - that poor girl is powerless if no one is standing up for her. If people keep complaining about the behavior, maybe it will bring enough attention to help her in some small way.

Be proud of yourself -- not only for what you did for the girl, but for coming as far as you have.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I left work a little early today because it was beyond slow and I was tired. Pedaling home I saw a car pulled over on the opposite side of the road and two girls on my side staring. As I got closer I heard yelling and then I saw what was going on. The driver of the vehicle had pulled his young female passenger out and was yelling at her, hitting her, and choking her.....
So I stopped with all the stopping power aging Shimano 600 brakes could offer and whipped my cell phone out of my messenger bag. Suddenly I knew north from south and could tell them their direction of travel. I knew car makes and models and every cross street in town.....
What amazed me most is that while I stood there on the phone, the altercation continued. What scared me most is that the woman I assume was this man's wife calmly took over driving while he got in the back presumably to continue beating on his daughter. Wow, what a home life that must be if she allows it. Wonder how often he wails on her? The driver who pulled up behind them crossed the street as they left and repeated what he saw to the 911 operator.

Good that you called it in.
I would hope that anybody who saw a man yelling at, hitting, and choking a girl (regardless of whether or not he was a family member) would pull out their cell phone and call 911 and give them the car's license plate number!

[Grog]

Good that you called it in.
I would hope that anybody who saw a man yelling at, hitting, and choking a girl (regardless of whether or not he was a family member) would pull out their cell phone and call 911 and give them the car's license plate number!

Replace "a girl" with "me" in this sentence and it drives the meaning home even more forcefully...

I can't stop thinking about this Smurf. I am really glad you did something about it.

[wildhawk]

Bless you Smurf. There was clearly a reason that you were there when needed for this poor girl and that you have the compassion and understanding of what she is going through. And is is a shame that most people do not want to get involved in domestic situations and would just drive on by. That is why I always have my cell phone charged up and on my bike within clear reach - you never know what you will encounter in your rides. Hugs to you.