When Did it Become Okay?

Certain instances have happened in my life, and at the time they were scary or heartbreaking. Sometimes I didn't grasp the gravity of the situation that was at hand and thought nothing of it. Then as I look back on them or share the stories with others all I can think about is

"How is this okay?"

"When did this become okay?"

A little over a year ago I was driving to work, it was very early and completely dark outside. There is a school zone I pass through twice a day to and from work. The morning I am thinking of there was a young man waiting to cross in the crosswalk. Myself and 3 other cars came to a stop and waited for this young man to cross the street; he had just about reached the curb when a green blur caught my attention and plowed into this boy sending him into the air and crashing down on to the sidewalk. The car finally came to a stop about a block up the street.

In complete shock I called 9-1-1 and pulled off to a side street. As I am telling the operator the location of the accident and that a child was hit, I came running around the corner from the side street and to my amazement....it was like nothing had happened. The other 3 cars where gone and traffic was continuing like normal. I had a moment when I wondered to myself "did I imagine that", but then I saw the kid lying on the side walk motionless. I ran over to him and thankfully he was still breathing, I didn't touch him but I talked to him and told the operator wh

at I could see of the wounds. The ambulance, firefighters, and police showed up and I was taken back to my car to fill out a statement. As I am writing my statement the officer had thanked me for calling and sitting with the boy, he told me that not only was I the only person to stop, I was the only person to call 9-1-1; the lady who hit him didn't even call! I was completely amazed how those other vehicles could drive away and not even call. I was shocked at thinking how long would this boy would have laid there waiting for someone to call for help. Later that day, when I would share the story of what happened, co-workers and friends told me that they might of called 9-1-1, but would have driven off.

When did this become okay! How is this even okay! To watch a human being, let alone a child, be hit by a car and just drive along on your way. I did have some people try to justify the driving off by saying "If he was dead or cut up, I couldn't handle it". What if he isn't dead? All that went through my mind during this was he will wake up hurt, scared, and alone.

I've been told when you witness something like this that it will keep replaying in your head. Honestly the only thing I keep seeing when I think back on this day is turning the corner, and the world being normal.

#Okay #Notokay #Whatsright