A Coincidental Story

Fate. Happenstance. Destiny. Karma.

Being in the right place at the right time.

This morning I was late leaving my house. I woke up late, lingered over my coffee and cereal before struggling into my bike clothes, boiling some eggs for lunch and rushing out the front door 15 minutes later than planned. I rode my normal bike route, cursing the southern wind hitting me in the face and loving the sun poking out from behind the clouds. I hit 50th street which runs parallel to the highway headed towards University district to catch Roosevelt down to Eastlake. Mid-way up 50th street I heard a faint "help" cut my mental discourse. I thought I hadn't heard anything, but decided to turn around anyways. When I glanced behind me I saw two feet hanging out from over the guard rail.

My heart jumped, I stashed my bike and ran across the road to find a girl trapped between a bed of blackberry bushes, her bike and the guard rail. She was obviously shaken. In a state of shock myself, I asked her what had happened and if she was ok. She explained that she had swerved (for what reason I don't know), hit the rail and fallen over. The way she had fallen looked almost like the blackberry bushes had grown over her in the short time she'd been stuck. First I struggled to get her bike free of her body and the spikey black berry prickers. Her bag was next before I finally helped her to pull herself free of the bushes clenched grip.

The whole process took about 10 minutes, during which time three cars passed us without stopping. To put this scene in perspective: I was standing on the edge of the road in a bright red jacket (which makes me pretty visible). The girl I was helping was completely trapped in back of the guard rail struggling to pull herself upright by using my weight. No one even rolled down their window to ask if we were ok. If I hadn't ridden my bike by, I don't know when she would have gotten help.

Fate- being where you're supposed to be, without realizing you are supposed to be there. I've spoken with people who believe whole heartedly that there are forces in the world that predestine certain events in our lives. I've also spoken with people who believe that it's a matter of mathematics. My love of fantasy and mystery bias me towards the more idealistic perspective. I like to think that things do happen for a reason... even if they can be measured by numbers, and that there are reasons we find ourselves in certain situations.

I'm glad I was late for work today. If I hadn't taken my time this morning, left late and turned my bike around to figure out if I heard someone say help... it might have been a long time before the biker freed herself (there's no real way to know). Matter of fact what if it hadn't been me that rode by but someone with headphones on who wouldn't have heard a yell for help.

Besides feeling that I was supposed to be on 50th to help this girl, I was disappointed that nobody else stopped to help us. Drivers, pedestrians, fellow bike commuters pay attention when you're out! If there are people on the side of the road who look like they're in trouble, take a few minutes to ask them if they need help. It just may be that you are supposed to be there.

side note: Considering my own recent bike accident, it felt good to give back and help another biker in need.