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When Life in the Fast Lane Slows Down

​When we hear or read stories about people stepping up to assist in the midst of a natural disaster or an accident, we would like to think that we would do likewise. Yet, there is a lingering doubt that maybe we would freeze or take the easier path.

Andrea G. Schwartz
  • Andrea G. Schwartz
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When we hear or read stories about people stepping up to assist in the midst of a natural disaster or an accident, we would like to think that we would do likewise. Yet, there is a lingering doubt that maybe we would freeze or take the easier path. We often cover up those feelings of potential inadequacy or cowardice with the refrain: “It takes a special person to do something like that. He/she is a real hero!”

Recently, I had the chance to witness this phenomenon up close and personally. My daughter, on her way to her nursing job at a regional hospital, encountered a horrific scene as she was travelling 65 miles per hour in the fast lane. She observed a car maneuvering in front of her as if to avoid hitting something. She was correct. The driver ahead was darting out of the way of a significant amount of debris. She needed to do likewise, and as she did she saw what looked like a body that had been hit and was somewhat dismembered. But, she did not have time to dwell on that as she observed a car crushed and smoking in the divide ahead. (Continue