Scratch That: A Suburban Fairy Tale
“Was that big scratch and dent on your car before you went into that store?” asked the nice woman with the charming Scottish burr as I went to open the door of my car, parked at a shopping center not far from my home. Whoo-boy. You just know nothing good can come out of this kind of opening conversational gambit, I recall thinking to myself.
A closer look at my just one-month-old car revealed that yes indeedy, it sported a brand new scratch/dent on the driver’s side. Seems the nice lady’s elderly mother, whom she was visiting in the states, had accidentally “bumped” my vehicle with her own. The nice lady had patiently waited for me to return to my car to talk about settling up the damages, affirming my belief in the basic goodness of the people with whom I share the roads and parking lots as I ply my trade as a suburban mom, schlepping here, there, and yonder.
“Ohmigod, my husband’s going to kill me,” was my automatic reply. I have had experience with this sort of thing, you see. I’ve brushed up against my too narrow garage with my too chubby a car a time or two or ten. “No he won’t,” she answered cheerfully. “He’ll blame me.” Actually, he ended up blaming no one. The ever-cheerful nice Scottish lady went back to Edinburgh and we traded a few polite e-mails. Soon after I mailed her an estimate from my friendly local body shop (yes, I have it on speed-dial), I received a check to cover the full amount of damages with a pleasant note on flowered stationery wishing me happy future travels.
Too bad my run-ins with my own garage couldn’t be settled so civilly.
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I totally understand. I destroyed the frame of my house by pushing gas instead of the brake. Bailey my 6 week old was in the back. I almost died of a heartattack. Then I noticed a few new scratches on the side of the car. Apparently my brother has a sword and scratched my car further.
As a suburban housewife, myself, I find it hard to be happy running my errands in this busy world of people who seem to not care about anything other than not being stopped at that red light. I completely understand why that meant so much to you. I am so greatful for the gentleman who brings the shopping carts into my local Meijer's store. After many " we are both human" friendly hello and how are you's, he's learned that I purposely park by the shopping cart return so I can get a cart for my little one easier. Everytime that gentlemen sees my Jeep, he brings me the right buggy that I need for my car seat to fit. It really feels good to have this sort of thing in your life when you feel so pushed by the angry people who are always in a hurry. Human kindness is one of the most catchy things one can pass along! It's wonderful to hear about others having goodness to pass!! :)