No One Will Think Any Less Of You..

It's no secret I don't like winter. I don't really like Summer all that much either. It's either too cold, or too hot in these seasons and I just don't like. But Spring and Fall? Those are my seasons. I'd give anything right now to have Spring come a bit early, I'm so over the ice and cold!

Living in Canada it's to be expected. We have seasons, we have snow and cold. Yes, All fine and good. But last night after a day of a decent snow fall it was pouring rain with some lovely Thunder and Lightning! Which I've never seen in my life during the winter, at least not that I can remember so that was truly something to see!

But - It made for an interesting morning this morning. My husband worked until 230a last night so I decided I'd walk the kids to school this morning, it was all ice. Sheer ice. How dangerous. Every single one of my kids fell on our walk and I even slipped, but managed to get my balance before slamming into the ice. Sadly, it wasn't the case for another lady. We were crossing the road near the school when she was walking behind us, and Jayden was walking beside me with her son who is in his class all of a sudden we heard a big crash, and a scream. I turned around and Jordan had already taken off behind me to get to her side and I was right behind him. The poor lady had fallen on a  huge thick patch of ice and hit her face on the ice. Her phone, mitts and bag were all around her on the sidewalk. People walking past, and even stepping over her things.

I asked if she was okay, but she didn't respond. I asked again as I saw her face was already red and she was holding onto her forehead. She didn't respond. I looked up and asked the little boy if he could see if she was alright, but he just stood there in shock.

Jordan reached down and grabbed her hand and began to help her up, I grabbed onto her other arm when all she could manage to say was "Thank You"

We figured out she didn't speak any English, so that would explain not even understanding me. She thanked us twice and we walked closely near her to the school. When we arrived the VP was outside helping people on the sidewalk, I told him he may want to just check if shes okay because she fell and hit her head. He thanked me and helped her inside the school. 

I dropped the kids off, and walked Jayden down to his class. On my way out I walked past the office where I saw her sitting, crying with ice on her head. Outside the VP thanked me again and urged me to please be careful walking home, he said he hadn't seen it this bad in a while.

 I made it home safely, only slipping once but again not falling. The school called to thank me for my help, and to let me know they went up to Jordan's class to thank him as well as not many people anymore help others out. They told me she was ok, refused any medical help beyond ice but did have a very big bump on her forehead so they advised her family to keep watch.

I couldn't believe the amount of people who just kept walking by her, and even walking over her and her items on the sidewalk. It's okay to stop and help if someone falls or is hurt. No one will think any less of you... I do understand everyone was rushing to get to where they needed to be, but as human beings the right thing to do would be stop and help. I'm just glad my amazing son was there to help, and that I taught him enough to know what to do instead of walking past, or even worse over top of someone clearly needing help.

I don't think I'm too surprised though, I've lost a lot of faith in humans lately. So sad.

Where has the decency gone?

Yesterday I went and picked up my son's glasses, they finally came in. He had his previous pair broken a week ago at school so we needed to get him new ones. After I had picked up the glasses I had to run over and grab my kids from school. I had to go a slightly different way and As I was walking down the sidewalk pushing my sit n stand as it is too cold to not bundle right up and if I get bundled, and have baby on me I get way too hot and it brings on a migraine - whole other subject - so I had the sit n stand, we got right in front of the school when a car was parked right in the middle of the sidewalk. Not even enough room for me to push by. 

So I stood there and said "I can't get through" he sat there just staring at me. I said "Can you move so I can get through?" He shook his head no at me. At this point I was irritated, it was cold.. I had a 12 week old baby, and a 2 year old on the stroller.. I asked again "Can you please move so I can get by?" he again shook his head NO.

Baffled, and now angry I had to go on the road in to oncoming traffic - which luckily, stopped so I could get by - I did have some choice words for this man as I walked past him sitting in his warm car looking all smug. How rude can you be? I don't understand how hard it would be to move? It was in a bus loading zone for one which, you cannot park in... and for two? He took up the WHOLE sidewalk. Are sidewalks for cars now? I must have missed that memo.

I went right into the school office, and asked the secretary who I speak to about this and she said "The police" I said, "is it really a matter for the police?" I was a little shocked that she suggested I call the police because I didn't really see it as a matter for them but she said, "The police traffic division.. I call all the time, and urge others too as I'm just once voice and it's illegal what he did, and dangerous for you. Its a bus loading zone too. Big no no... Go get his license plate number and call!"

So back outside I went, however when I was coming out I saw him storming over to his car speed walking, dragging his child behind him. I got as close as I could before he drove off and got the photo above. I have no shame in sharing it, I'm just upset you can't make out the plate at all.

I wasn't able to call the police as he took off so fast, and again the photo didn't turn out so I can't even report it to anyone. I will however, be finding him on Monday and letting him know just how I feel about how he acted, in front of a school with children 10 and under... and what a wonderful example he is to those who actually did see (no children, school was still on but a bunch of parents looked on).

Why am I posting this? As a reminder to those who do drive - it's not that hard to be nice. It wouldn't have been hard for him to have turned his car on and even moved up, or moved himself over a bit. Ignorance has reached an all time high when a man can't even simply move for a mother with 2 small children. It's disgusting.

It's a bit ironic too because that morning my husband was speaking to a parent outside the school who is disabled, and she was telling him she couldn't walk on the sidewalk either and when she went to the principal with her concerns she told her to call someone who could deal with it, she couldn't. When the mom called the police to report and see what could be done? No one even bothered to call her back. 

It may not seem like much to some, so small or petty... But last time I checked cars are for roads, and sidewalks aren't meant to be a parking lot. Parents and Children shouldn't be put into danger having to walk on a road into oncoming traffic so you can park right in front of the school because it's cold and you don't want to walk far to pick up your kid! The school has 2 parking lots, both of which usually have lots of free spaces, and on this day in question? Did. Multiple.. The other side of the road, which is a 1 way street is where cars are asked to park if spots are full, so buses can pick up kids and parents can pick up their kids safely and freely using the sidewalk. Guess he didn't get the memo, and can't read signs.