Valentines Day 2012

In anticipation of the veil of misery that always seems to envelope me on Valentine's Day, I bought myself a little treat. Something cute to keep me distracted while everyone else rolls around in their bountiful piles of roses and chocolate -- you know, no big deal.

And it worked until about lunch time. Then people started asking me what my "big plans" were for Valentine's Day, and then doing the whole "what do you mean you don't have a date?" -- like I must be doing something terribly wrong. And so of course, every time that happened my mood turned a bit darker.

Then something terrible happened. Our landlord was pulling into our parking lot to drop something off, and accidentally hit an elderly man in a wheelchair. I'm SO THANKFUL that I didn't see it happen, but I did see when everyone on the street ran over to help. I walked up to the window to take a look out and I saw the wheelchair, the truck, and the man crumpled up on the pavement. I am especially thankful that I was not wearing my glasses, because I would not have the stomach to see the carnage. According to my coworkers though the damage was pretty horrifying, and they had to tape off the area and clean up the mess.

http://lynnwood.komonews.com/news/911/719692-man-wheelchair-struck-car-highway-99

And then there was the landlord who was frantic and praying on his knees in the parking lot. I was too afraid to go near the window again, but I could see the medical and police officers walking around and taking care of business. I thought to myself, here were two people, whose lives changed in less than a moment's notice. I felt bad, of course, for the man in the wheelchair who was just motoring along on the sidewalk. I also felt bad, though, for the landlord because I know that making that turn across traffic on Highway 99 is difficult - there is SO much happening environment-wise, and then you're in the middle of 5 lanes of highway with cars coming at you about 40mph and cars behind you in the turn lane waiting for you to go.

It was a lot to think about. And it was deeply disturbing for me. By the time my work day was over, I just decided to settle with thanking the higher powers (if there are any) for my fantastic luck. And just being fucking happy.

SO I went home and made the breakfast burritos that I'd been craving. And then for dessert, I had a nice cold bottle of Fantasia with my quesadillas. Yeah -- I had a date with Dr. Phil, but hey at least I'm not in the hospital.. or trying to deal with almost killing someone, right?