One Second is All it Takes

She stepped off the sidewalk, not realizing that a bus was speeding toward her.

Having lived in this city for several years, my mother and I had never strolled downtown together. So during one of her visits, we decided to do just that. After finding a parking spot and putting money in the meter, we walked to our first destination. A coffee shop, of course.

With coffee in hand, we began our stroll. In and out of shops we went, occasionally sitting on benches along the way to ‘people watch.’ The folks downtown can be very unique; wearing scuba fins, clown outfits, yelling at invisible beings, and then of course the many homeless people going about their daily business. There’s never a dull moment in the city.

The day was going just as we had planned, which really meant no plan at all, only to enjoy each others company. As always when we’re together, my mother and I were carried away in conversation and laughter as we walked down the sidewalk.

We were nearing the mid-way point of the main strip during one of our laughing fits. My mother laughed herself right off the sidewalk. While laughing with her, I glanced up.

Much to my horror, there was a bus racing toward her, only a few feet away. It’s not exactly a place where one would think to watch out for buses, so she had no idea. But there it came, right behind her. Without a thought, I reached out, grabbed her arm and pulled her back onto the sidewalk. Just as her second foot touched down, the bus rushed by, leaving a frightening chill in its place.

For a moment, time stood still. Neither of us breathing and both of us in shock. After the full realization of what had just happened hit us, we took a deep breath and hugged each other tightly. A hug full of appreciation, love and tremendous relief, knowing that the outcome could have been much different had there been even a second of hesitation.

I will be forever grateful that my mother and I were able to drive home together that day. Had that moment played out any differently, I may have went home alone.

One second is all it takes to change a person’s life forever.

 

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This post is in response to The Daily Post prompt: Daring Do

Also a part of  JusJoJan, hosted by LindaGHill.