The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Hello everyone - I wanted to let you know what happened to me today. I know God is always with me and this is why.
Today, I decided to walk to take my movies back to blockbuster. It was one by the school where I teach. I usually ride my bike and it takes me 15-20 minutes to get there. Today, I decided to walk. After I got about 1/2 way there I decided that this was really a lot farther than I thought but oh well. I got to blockbuster after about 40 minutes. I went in and sat down to rest and then went to Walgreens and got some water.
I decided to walk back through one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Houston, this time on the other side of the street. It should be perfectly safe, right? All the mom's in their suburbans? I usually take the little kids from the school in wagons right around this same area, I was walking right by the school where I usually work. Today is spring break so only the kids whose parents work were there. I had the right of way across a busy street and had pushed the button so that they little white reflector shaped like a person came up. Nevertheless, not eveyone stops before they turn right on red so I was on my guard.
A black VW Jetta did not stop. I walked around the back of the car and hit my hand on the trunk to let them know, hey, you didn't stop and yes I am a pedestrian (I have done this a thousand times). The man stopped in mid stream, opened the door and screamed, "Don't you ever hit my f*cking car again". That was kinda spooky and I didn't want any trouble. I kept walking, didn't even look back.
So, listening to the Russian piano music on my ipod with ear plugs in my ears I am walking along. Six more blocks down to my utter surprise and ultimate horror, the black Jetta pulled up as I was getting ready to cross another street as I was on my way home, heading south, this man had been heading north. The man got out of his car and walked towards me screaming "You f*cking b*tch don't you ever hit my f*cking car again. He kept on walking towards me, he kept on yelling, I went into shock. I pulled out my cell phone out of my pocket, it was like I was moving in slow motion. I was so glad to hear, West University police (this is a small city within the city of Houston) answer the phone when I called 911. All I could say was the liscense number of the car, over and over. The man yelled at me "OK you b*tch, call the police, see if I care, f*ck you" and he got in his car and drove off. The police asked me where I was, I didn't know, I was so disoriented, I kept looking around for the cross street signs and I couldn't find one. Again, it was like I was in slow motion, my heart was beating out of my chest. I finally said, there is a red arrow, street construction, Buffalo Speedway and the police said, ok I know where you are. They did go after the guy and stop him. He got charged with profanity. Since he did not hit me or threaten to hit me, they did not charge him with assault. It was 30 minutes before I stopped crying and my heart returned to a normal rate. The police were nice and did all they could do. I took care of me, I called for help, I got help. I called my husband and asked him to come get me, I waited at the school where I work until my husband came to get me (the police took me over there). I got some lunch and came home. God was with me today, god was with me.
I am very very sorry this happened to you. I have had people road rage on me in different contexts. I have learned not to talk to them more than 5 words because otherwise they seem to get more excited. I am glad that you used your cell phone and took action for yourself. I think about this issue quite a bit because pedestrians routinely one or two a month get run over by people who are obvioulsy really out of it on many levels. Personally I think road raging should be a very serious offence as it can escalate very quickly.
I am glad that you reached out for support. So many times I have been attacked or reduced to tears and I have not reached out for support appropriately. For years I was surrounded by people who like my family just went into denial whenever I was dealing with something. My boyfriend does that to me all the time. I know he gets it from his family but I am tired of it. I now reach out elsewhere. If he ever asks me I will say the situations didn't change (life is stressful) I changed my response to it. He was never available on that level. I stopped asking.
I am very glad that you have a husband who can respond to you because you deserve that.
I am so sorry this happened to you. It sure is scary to stick up for yourself out there in the world, there are lots of sick people out there. But you did a great job of taking care of yourself. And I'm glad the police charged this guy with something. Where I live, the police wouldn't even come. There aren't enough of them, even at night. Thanks for being here. mebjk
I was very lucky that i was in the city of West University and not in the city of houston. Houston cops would have taken a long time to get there and would not have apprehended the man.
I tell myself when times are rough, "this to shall pass!!!" Ask HP for guidance, if the door is open, and I know how to look, I will become aware! I also visit http://www.inspiringthots.net/ . Blessings , Your sister in Recovery
holy moly, robin, i am glad he didn't do anything to you
people are NUTS.....this world is so full of crazies........i am glad u stuck up for u, and REAL glad u didn't get hurt.......wow, what a story!!!! rosie
Omg how awful! I don't even like to go out of my home much becuz people are just too crazy for me.
So sorry you went thru this. I am so glad you had your cell and got it out! good for you taking care of yourself.
no more walking alone lady, sad it is not safe anymore. I would NEVER walk without my huge Great Pyr. Even if you have to borrow a dog, don't go alone.
Do lots of anti stressors for you ok? Ya gotta cancel out all the pain.
sending love and maybe ya might want to empower yourself and take some self defense.
BLESSINGS