'Stress City'

Today on the way home from work, and to pick my daughter up from her play-date, I witnessed an accident.  There was a pedestrian lying facedown in the intersection that I was approaching.  I started honking my horn to warn the drivers in the right hand lane as I stopped at the red light.  I got out of my car, just as other pedestrians were coming to his aid.  I got out my phone and asked if anyone had dialed 911.  They had, and since I was about to block traffic when the light turned, I got back in my car and went along.  There were people enough at this point to help.  I was pumping with adrenaline though.

By the time I got to my daughter's friend's house, I was calm, or so I thought.  As soon as we got in the car, I thought my daughter seemed quiet, so I asked her "Are you okay?...did you guys have a fight?"  "Did you guys get in trouble with her mom for something?" 

My daughter's reply was "No mom, and why are you in 'Stress City'?"  I asked her what she meant, and she told me that she can tell when I am stressed when I automatically think that there's always got to be something wrong.  (She then proceeded to make up a little song about me, presumably moving to 'Stress City'...thank-you very much;p)

Wow!  Here I thought that I was cool, and yet my nine yr. old picked right up on it.  The sub-conscious stuff can and will get to us. 

First and foremost, I am going to say many prayers for that man in the next few days.  Also I am going to try to be more aware of the underlying stress in my life, and how it affects my actions and perceptions.

Food for thought...

Scaredy Cat

Yes,  you had increase in stress just from seeing a person lying in the street who may be very ill or even dying.  I think your body went into the fight or flight response as your mind kicked into high gear.  You were trying to think of all things at once,  did others see the man down, should you call 911, should you leave your car and jump out to help etc.

I believe your response was normal.  Perhaps the next time you are feeling stressed and your daughter is around just tell her a bit about your day.  Let her know whether it felt like a good day to you or that you are concerned about something keeping it simple but letting your feelings out.

Your question "are you ok ?" to your daughter may have been triggered by the fact that you just witnessed some sort of a medical emergency.

Getting out of your car and responding to what was an unsafe situation for this gentleman was a good thing to do and the right thing to do.  I admire you for making the right choice.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt