While driving home this afternoon, my wife’s car was rear-ended. The car that she was following stopped suddenly, forcing her to stop suddenly. The next driver in the chain wasn’t quite able to stop in time. Fortunately, nobody in either car was hurt, but, it was pretty traumatic for my wife and kids and my 6 year old son, Noah, was crying.
Enter the North Carolina Highway Patrol. Police officers often get a reputation for being cold or unsympathetic, and I’ve certainly met some of that type. The officer that helped my wife today, though, was the exact opposite. Very kind and patient, particularly with my boys. After the paperwork was completed, she went to her car and returned with a stuffed puppy that she gave to Noah. She explained that she’d been carrying it around in her car for a while but wanted him to have it because he’d had a rough day.
As simple as that, a single small act of kindness turned completely changed the complexion of the afternoon, at least for one little boy. Tears were replaced with a smile by applying a little empathy to the situation. Sure, it will be annoying going through the process of getting the car repaired, but my lasting memory won’t be of the accident. It will be of the compassionate police officer who made my son’s day just a little bit better.
Mason
on 29 Jul 10Whats her name? You should give her some positive google juice : )
Rich S
on 29 Jul 10That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Lee Graham
on 29 Jul 10A little southern hospitality goes a long ways =P… hehe
Mark
on 29 Jul 10Those kind of things go a long way with me. I hope you or your wife make (made) an effort to reach out to her supervisor to express your appreciation for her efforts.
I tend to much more go out of my way for an individual who does something nice out of empathy and no expectation of a return, then those who provide me with good service and then direct me to provide them with a good report on the follow-up telephone survey I’ll receive.
Ben Ackles
on 29 Jul 10What a pleasant story. I wonder if she’ll ever know about you’re gratitude.
@Rich is right, if only you could give her some Google link juice. ;)
Grammar Nitpicker
on 29 Jul 10I think you mean sympathy, not empathy.
Darcy Fitzpatrick
on 30 Jul 10That’s wonderful.
Is it standard practice for an officer to be sent to the scene of a collision in North Caraloina?
I was rear-ended last week in a three-car collision, and one of the party’s involved was told when they called the police that they don’t send an officer unless someone has been seriously injured.
Don’t know if this is a Canadian thing or just a Newfoundland thing, but I’m not sure I agree with the policy.
I’m glad no one in your situation was hurt.
Matthew Guay
on 30 Jul 10What a great story … it’s amazing how far a little humanity and compassion can go. That’s what our world needs more of. Most of us think we’re too busy to take time for others, but it’s really what makes the world go round. Thanks for sharing!
M. Drew Emmick
on 30 Jul 10Thank you for sharing this awesome experience.
Eric
on 30 Jul 10Thanks for sharing. It’s good to hear that.
Rafael Spínola
on 30 Jul 10Your story shows us that we always have choice. The opposite of sad is happy, the opposite of annoying is pleasant, and so it goes. The choice of which one you will be is entirely yours.
Michael
on 30 Jul 10Since your family is ok, can I say I’m sorry about your car trouble? :(
Semantic Pedant
on 30 Jul 10+1 Rafael! We often kick-the-dog and are not even conscious of it. Amazing what a smile and kind word will do. -1 Grammar Nitpicker ’”Grammar” often refers to BOTH syntax and semantics (and even phonology in some uses of the term “grammar”), so that to say something is “ungrammatical” does not yet identify what’s “ungrammatical” about [it].’ From: http://linguistlist.org/issues/7/7-777.html
See also: http://www.pageaffairs.com/words/grammar/grammar-vs-usage/ http://hubpages.com/hub/Sympathy_vs_Empathy http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119174/faq#.2.1.9
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