Today I Almost Died
Today I almost died.
I have been ill for the past few days, and was still feeling under the weather when I woke up this morning. For a few minutes, I debated myself on the topic “Shall I go to work today?”, and me #2 convinced me #1 that I needed to come to work and finish some things. What can I say? Me #2 is an excellent debater.
I was driving on the road #1, in the direction of Tel Aviv just like any other day. I don’t know exactly when it happened, but at some point, I lost focus. I can’t recall if it was when I coughed, or whether it was just a general lack of concentration, but all of a sudden I noticed a car in front of me, a car I was going to hit unless I took evasive action. I slammed on the brakes and found myself spinning out of control. I slammed into the rear left side of the car I had tried to avoid, causing it to careen into the barrier on the side of the road. I ended up also on the right hand side of the road, but facing oncoming traffic. Luckily I was on the shoulder of the road, now out of harm’s way, but what of the other driver?
I stumbled out of my car, put on my yellow vest, and noticed the other driver coming towards me. I immediately apologized, to which he told me not to worry. Things like this happen. I was amazed by his attitude, and lack of desire to kill me! After all, he had been totally minding his own business, and ended up almost killed because of me. Then I noticed another man limping towards us. It was a Chayal - Israeli soldier. The car I had hit had subsequently slammed into a van parked on the side of the road, which had then gone into its driver - the soldier - who was standing alongside it.
After taking down each other’s details, reporting the accident to police, and refusing medical attention (I am not sure why the soldier did not elect to go to the hospital immediately), the three of us stood by the road, waiting for the tow trucks to arrive. “What a nes (miracle)!” was repeatedly said during the course of our conversation. But at no time did the others blame me, nor display any anger towards me. In fact, the limping soldier - I hope his leg is not broken - offered me a chocolate. I told him “You should not be offering ME anything. In fact, I should be offering you my leg!”
I won’t bore you with the rest of the details. But I will say that the accident has taught me a number of important things:
1. I’m one lucky S.O.B. Baruch Hashem.
2. I knew that working as hard as I do, and driving such long distances every day, was taking its toll on me. Now I see it can take its toll on others.
3. My wife and I really need to move closer to my work.
4. I am really seeing a side to Israelis to which many have not been privy. The sensitive, caring side. And it makes me damn proud to be living here.
An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.
February 26th, 2006 at 1:22 pm
Ahh but can you imagine them behaving so nicely if you merely usurped their place in the waiting line?
February 26th, 2006 at 1:33 pm
Wow, glad to hear you’re ok. Makes me glad I can walk to my office in just two minutes
/elin
February 26th, 2006 at 2:38 pm
Sounds like you have been living in Israel too long and are starting to drive like them. Next time take the bus.
Luckily your selfishness in attempting to drive when you were obviously not up to it “only” resulted in one injured hayal.
But I wonder how you would have reacted had the perpertrator been an Arab.
February 26th, 2006 at 3:15 pm
Wow, that is one of the nastiest comments ever left on my blog. Don’t bother coming here again..your’re not welcome.
February 26th, 2006 at 3:27 pm
I am glad that you are OK and that things were not more serious. And that you were able, even in a difficult situation, to see the beauty of living in Israeli society and feel proud in your choice to do so. Now take care of yourself and feel better.
-Bubah3000
February 26th, 2006 at 4:20 pm
Glad your ok Dave. Didn’t you almost die about a year ago as well? Some asswipe cut you off or something…
Harry
February 26th, 2006 at 7:24 pm
Thank God you’re okay, and the others as well. Question from someone who’s just learning to be observant: Would you say the Birkat HaGomel for this?
February 26th, 2006 at 10:23 pm
It makes me wonder why anyone would take the time to leave a nasty comment like that….what a sad,boring life they must lead if that is the best way they can fill their time…
February 26th, 2006 at 11:29 pm
WOW–
As an 18 year old who drives to high school every day and lives in Massachusetts, this sure will encourage me to focus more on the road and less on the Israeli music on the stereo. By the way, I love this blog. And I’m amazed by your ability to post something like this and then just keep on posting again as if you hadn’t nearly avoided death (or someone else’s).
February 27th, 2006 at 12:55 am
Dave, I am so relieved to hear that you are okay and that no one was seriously hurt.
Work seems to be something people always push themselves so hard about. It’s difficult to know when to stop and take a break and give yourself some breathing time.
Thank you for sharing your story, as it also is a reminder for others… I know I have driven one too many times under very seriously dangerous conditions of sleep deprivation, and luckily nothing bad happened. But after reading your story I must really remember to act responsibly, as it only takes a split second for something to go wrong and for people’s lives to instantly change.
It warms the heart to see that people can behave in such a caring and kind way… I always felt that Israelis are big hearted people when they need to be, despite their day-to-day tough skinned exterior!
Thank God you are well, and hope you get some rest.
February 27th, 2006 at 2:00 am
Yes, you do say Birkat HaGomel for this.
February 27th, 2006 at 3:04 am
I am so relieved to hear you (and everyone else) are OK. I hope you benched gomel this morning! Not everyone walks away from such an accident.
February 27th, 2006 at 3:48 am
Glad you’re ok too. Thanks for the reminders as well. I had my own incident a few years back that resulted in nothing more than the death of a young tree, but I felt the fear of what could have been.
February 27th, 2006 at 5:19 am
Glad to hear you are OK.
That drive is a killer. I’m sure you remember our little “bump” a few years back after a long drive home. That was another reason why I was glad to move work to be closer to home. I can’t understand why you don’t take a train - so restful.
February 27th, 2006 at 9:06 am
Glad you were okay and no one was hurt.
February 27th, 2006 at 3:25 pm
Indeed, baruch hashem. Thank g-d you and everyone else are okay!
February 27th, 2006 at 5:38 pm
Be careful, Dave.
We all have to be careful.
February 28th, 2006 at 12:27 am
Wow. I’m glad you’re okay!!
Baruch Hashem.
February 28th, 2006 at 8:16 am
Hallelujah, Dave! I’m sooo glad to read you escaped with life and limb. I’m also totally astonished how you in Israel act in situations like yours.
Here in Czech Republic I’m scared someone will scream at me just for a bad parking, not to speak about a car accident at all. Nobody is allowed to make a mistake and if you do then you are considered an idiot. Then we’re all idiots because nobody is perfect, are’t we
OK, we can learn this from you. You are a blessing! Baruch Hashem!