It's Christmas Eve.
I have this urge to write a long, Revlis-Style mush-fest but I'll spare y'all. Rev, step up to the plate, if you will. Instead, I'll write a long ramble. Let's see if this is any fun or not.
I'm 41. For some reason, I don't remember my childhood very well. I think parental abuse may have had something to do with it but that's only a part of this.
Christmas depresses the crap outta me every year. Probably something to do with my above-mentioned screwed up kiddie-time. Yesterday, I was in the parking lot of Barnes and Noble, following a little red car. All of a sudden, she throws it into reverse and I hit the horn. Too late. CRASH! She crunched into me. It's been literally YEARS since I've been involved in any kind of accident.
I jumped out pissed off but between my door and her door, I calmed down. She met me at the point of impact. Our two cars were snuggled up real close there, very nicely in the parking lot. I just said, "Break out your insurance and your license." She was nearly in a panic and couldn't see the situation for what it was. I understand, though. Hitting someone with a car is pretty serious most times.
She seems like a rather young kid. 21 to 25 or so. Just moved in from Ohio. Still doesn't have new plates or license for this state. Insurance card was not current but she assured me that the policy was still in force. She was shaking and her voice was very unsteady, like she thought I was going to poke her lights out or something. She wanted to call the police and do a report but I suggested that if they were interested, they'd show up.
I copied all her information down and wrote down mine for her. By this time, I've talked her down pretty well, giving her assurances that that's what insurance is for and not to worry about it, yada yada yada. As I looked at the intersection of our two cars once more, it was clear that they were probably not even damaged very badly. Her car is a piece of crap and mine needs a new paint job soon anyway. I asked her to pull her car away from mine a little and when she does, it's even more apparent that the damage is very minimal. Hell, I can't even tell if there's any damage at all but my car needs a bath and you can't be too sure.
I told her I probably wouldn't even call her insurance company but I'd know better when I got home and washed it down a litte. I told her as long as it hasn't punched a hole through the plastic bumper, I probably won't worry about it. She drives off and parks. We parked across from her a little ways. She works in the B&N where we are going to go shopping. When we came out, her husband met us in the parking lot. He was all apologies and concerns. Cool. I reassure him, too.
I still need to call them and tell them, "Merry Christmas," and not to worry about it. The car is fine. I can't even see the point of impact. In this case, plastic bumpers turned out to be better than metal. Yay!
Well, Christmas could be a lot of things to people. To me and my wife, it's about us. We enjoy each other's company, we take full advantage of the opportunity to call or visit friends and bask in their company. We do that year 'round, too, but for some reason, the thoughts and feelings of Christmas season are undeniably warmer and more enjoyable.
The mad rush of a parking lot accident or a problem with a merchant pale by comparison. That's why I do all my Christmas shopping in about 4 or 6 hours on Christmas Eve. It minimizes the impact!
Eh. As I said, this was just a ramble. I hope you all have a GREAT Christmas and New Year's Eve!!!
For all my h.org friends, hugs and kisses, always!
--Wag--
I have this urge to write a long, Revlis-Style mush-fest but I'll spare y'all. Rev, step up to the plate, if you will. Instead, I'll write a long ramble. Let's see if this is any fun or not.
I'm 41. For some reason, I don't remember my childhood very well. I think parental abuse may have had something to do with it but that's only a part of this.
Christmas depresses the crap outta me every year. Probably something to do with my above-mentioned screwed up kiddie-time. Yesterday, I was in the parking lot of Barnes and Noble, following a little red car. All of a sudden, she throws it into reverse and I hit the horn. Too late. CRASH! She crunched into me. It's been literally YEARS since I've been involved in any kind of accident.
I jumped out pissed off but between my door and her door, I calmed down. She met me at the point of impact. Our two cars were snuggled up real close there, very nicely in the parking lot. I just said, "Break out your insurance and your license." She was nearly in a panic and couldn't see the situation for what it was. I understand, though. Hitting someone with a car is pretty serious most times.
She seems like a rather young kid. 21 to 25 or so. Just moved in from Ohio. Still doesn't have new plates or license for this state. Insurance card was not current but she assured me that the policy was still in force. She was shaking and her voice was very unsteady, like she thought I was going to poke her lights out or something. She wanted to call the police and do a report but I suggested that if they were interested, they'd show up.
I copied all her information down and wrote down mine for her. By this time, I've talked her down pretty well, giving her assurances that that's what insurance is for and not to worry about it, yada yada yada. As I looked at the intersection of our two cars once more, it was clear that they were probably not even damaged very badly. Her car is a piece of crap and mine needs a new paint job soon anyway. I asked her to pull her car away from mine a little and when she does, it's even more apparent that the damage is very minimal. Hell, I can't even tell if there's any damage at all but my car needs a bath and you can't be too sure.
I told her I probably wouldn't even call her insurance company but I'd know better when I got home and washed it down a litte. I told her as long as it hasn't punched a hole through the plastic bumper, I probably won't worry about it. She drives off and parks. We parked across from her a little ways. She works in the B&N where we are going to go shopping. When we came out, her husband met us in the parking lot. He was all apologies and concerns. Cool. I reassure him, too.
I still need to call them and tell them, "Merry Christmas," and not to worry about it. The car is fine. I can't even see the point of impact. In this case, plastic bumpers turned out to be better than metal. Yay!
Well, Christmas could be a lot of things to people. To me and my wife, it's about us. We enjoy each other's company, we take full advantage of the opportunity to call or visit friends and bask in their company. We do that year 'round, too, but for some reason, the thoughts and feelings of Christmas season are undeniably warmer and more enjoyable.
The mad rush of a parking lot accident or a problem with a merchant pale by comparison. That's why I do all my Christmas shopping in about 4 or 6 hours on Christmas Eve. It minimizes the impact!
Eh. As I said, this was just a ramble. I hope you all have a GREAT Christmas and New Year's Eve!!!
For all my h.org friends, hugs and kisses, always!
--Wag--
