A Very Close Call

[SARGE]

The forum rules don't allow my writing my exact feelings, and if I did I would be banned until the cows come home. I am left with a watered down version. Today (Sunday), my gal bud and I were returning from our normal Sunday venture at the local organic foods place, stocking up on items for the coming week. It was mid-day and traffic was light. We were on the road we always travel home (2 lanes this way, 2 lanes opposite). The speed limit was 35 mph. Suddenly we saw a "kid" approaching, evidently weaving in and out of his own herd and going at an excessive speed. He was obviously losing control of his vehicle and I saw my life flashing beyond my eyes. In those moments we least expect, it's amazing all we consider in an instant. With no where to go, the gal bud and I simply yelled simultenously as he crossed into our lane and whizzed past us, missing us by a whisker, and then he evidently regained control of his car. If he had hit us, it would have been a disaster; either we would have been killed or old Sarge would be laid up in traction at the nearest hospital. In an instant the rest of our day was ruined, realizing the close call that some kid who was in a hurry almost caused a trajedy. Never since I was shoving a fellow Marine's intestines back into his cavity, pouring water on them and awaiting a medevac chopper to arrive to carry him to trained folks have I been so close to eternity, never mind my own close encounters so many times. Life is so precious and it can be gone in an instant.

[HAL9000]

Good to hear you came out without incident... and I think I filled in my own colourful language for ya.

[rspassey]

Originally Posted by SARGE Life is so precious and it can be gone in an instant.

Very well said.

[kosova]

Never since I was shoving a fellow Marine's intestines back into his cavity, pouring water on them and awaiting a medevac chopper to arrive to carry him to trained folks have I been so close to eternity,

When you are scared, time just stops. I have personally experienced this.

[RevCLB]

Hey Sarge, Am 61 years old & have known Marine Vets from WW II to present times. The language you "Thought" shouldn't be published but was real. Perhaps your training caused you to make a split-second decision & action that helped save you & gal bud. Who knows? Thanks for sticking around!! RevCLB

[David M]

Wow Sarge. Glad to see you are still with us. You are probably the best story teller here. So when does your "gal bud" officially become your girlfriend? She is not going to put up with that title forever you know.

[Jaggannath]

I've nearly been cleaned up 4 times in Australia by people who don't know how to overtake, to the extent of jamming on the brakes and swerving into the emergency lane... I reckon the air was blue each time with the language I was using

Having said that, I may have caused some overtaking stress once for someone, although I always knew I was going to make it... there was a fold in the road I couldn't see, and the markings said I could overtake, I just had to drop a gear and boogie to make it with about 20 metres to spare