Have I mentioned my husband and I are sharing a large Ford F-150 Super Crew? Oh, yeah. That’s come up here before.
The truck and I drive carpool to school. The roads surrounding the school get packed tight with mamma-mobiles.
One day, I’m driving through the maze when another vehicle approaches. There are cars parked to the left. Cars parked to the right.
Only enough room for one of us to pass.
For those readers who live in places like North Carolina (aka the Good Roads State) where this is unimaginable, I invite you to experience St. Louis.
By the way, I live in Nelly’s ‘burb—I’m from the Loop and I’m proud. Foul language, that guy, but you can absolutely dance to the music.
Back to the story. I spy a space along the curb where I can duck my truck to let the other car pass. I’ve almost nosed into the space when I feel a soft thump.
I jump out to take a look. Oh, dear. The back end of my truck scraped the front bumper of a very nice SUV parked along the curb.
Those additional few feet or so of truck are my nemesis. My husband says I must love our bank because I keep “kissing” the guide poles at the drive-up ATM.
I don’t even feel it when it happens. I wouldn’t know it happens except for the tell-tale yellow scratch marks.
But there I was standing in front of the scrape on the very nice SUV knowing for sure who done it this time.
I docked the truck far away from all other vehicles and ran back to the scene of the crime. The owner, another parent, had returned and was pulling away from the curb. I waved for her to stop.
In the extras on Gone Baby Gone, director Ben Affleck makes a profound remark. I know you’re skeptical, but hang with me for a minute.
“The right thing is really difficult to do because it has consequences that are unpleasant oftentimes,” said Affleck. “Otherwise everyone would do it.”
The other parent hadn’t seen the scrape mark. If her husband had found it first, they would have assumed it was her fault. I could have bolted that day without admitting guilt. But people, this was a no-brainer.
Not saying I always do the right thing. And please don’t congratulate me for doing it this once. No, no, nooo. I fail. I fail. I fail. As do we all.
There was no question I hit the SUV. Needed to make it right. Golden rule. Black and white. Not a shade of gray for miles.
A little more than $800 later (told you it was a very nice SUV), you can see why Affleck’s remark is profound.
Be the person who does the right thing. Do it though it costs you. Do it even if, especially if, you’re the only one.
For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14 NLT
Digging this new song by Jason Gray, Remind Me Who I Am.
You did the right thing …..most people would not have done that…..these days! What a great example you set for your son! “! Do unto others as you would have done for you.”!! You will be rewarded for your honesty when you least expect it! :)
Knowing someone is watching makes it harder to rationalize poor choices. And if you think about it, someone (God) always sees what we do.
Thanks for the blog post, Aimee. One of the recurring words –and concepts– we’ve been trying to teach our 8-year-old son lately is “integrity.” I just never thought Ben Affleck would help us do it!
Me neither! I was so surprised when I heard him say that on the interview. It stuck with me. He has two daughters, and I wonder if that influenced his comment. Don’t know if you’ve seen the movie. The story is an illustration of doing the right thing even when the consequences of that choice seem wrong…
ouch….
Yeah, that’s what I said.