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If I Have to Have a Fender-Bender, Let it Be in Provo

Ivy, over at Uncharted, is having a contest, asking for the best opening line of a country western ballad. When I was typing the title of this post, I could almost hear the twanging of guitar strings. That title, perhaps like many country western lyrics, was born of experience.

Photo: A rear bumper, with a small hole and various scratches and scuffs

Monday morning, I was on my way back home after picking up some kolaches from Hruska's. (Yes, I had tried them for the first time on Saturday morning, and went back on Monday morning for more. If you've had them, you'll understand.) I was stopped at a 4-way stop, waiting for the car to the right of me to proceed before making a left turn, when BAM! a car plowed into me from behind. I couldn't believe it. I made the turn, pulled over to the side of the road, and the offender pulled up behind me. 

A young man, presumably a BYU student, got out of the car and immediately said, "I'm so sorry!" I didn't see any major damage to my car's bumper, so didn't bother to even get his name. He kept pointing to places on my bumper.

"Was that there before?" ("Yes," I said, then thought, "that's where a lady rear-ended me years ago when I stopped for a passing ambulance, and she didn't." )

"What about these scratches?" ("Yes, they were already there," I said, as I thought, "those were very recently obtained when I didn't quite pull far enough into the garage before pushing the button to shut the garage door!)

"You're so kind. You're so kind." He kept repeating himself. I just kept seeing my own children in him. I was fine. My car was fine. He was apologetic. He wasn't under the influence. (This is Provo, after all, home of the nation's #1 "Stone-Cold Sober" university--for 20 years in a row!) 

Besides, I had kolaches in the car that were getting cold. We shook hands, and got back into our cars. After he pulled away--I insisted he go first. I might be kind, but I'm wary, too!--I drove home, composing to myself that future country hit, If I Have to Have a Fender-Bender, Let it Be in Provo. 






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Comments

  1. I know the young man was thankful for a honest lady! Bless you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And I was impressed with his humility and concern.

      Delete
  2. I just love the title of your blog...We all sometimes need reminding to be thankful and there is always so much to be thankful for. God bless you...

    gramswisewords.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I saw this the other day - love the title. I'm sure he was grateful to meet someone as good and kind as you. Most people would've made this a very different scenario.
    Lisa @ The Meaning of Me

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was impressed with the way he handled it. He made it easy to just let it go.

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  4. Great song title and great story. Glad you weren't hurt.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks! Hope all is going well with you. Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete

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