Young Man's Angelic Face Is Haunting Me
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
November 13, 2012 8:24am CST
On the way back from my walk to B&Q there was a young man lying on the pavement in the 'recovery position.' It was damp underfoot but not particularly cold, although he didn't have adequate clothing so he would probably get hypothermia if he led there for any length of time.
There was a kind lady putting him into that position but I have no idea how he'd come to be there. I don't know if he'd collapsed or just decided to have a sleep as 'he smells heavily of drink' according to another man walking alongside me for a bit.
Upon walking past the young man had his eyes open looking up at me. They were such beautiful eyes..grey. At that point I felt so, SO guilty walking past, even though there were people round him helping and - presumably - contacting the Emergency Services.
I am now sat here thinking about what I could've done to help. I could've sat by him, held his hand and spoke to him whilst the ambulance came. I did none of these things. All I did was leave it to others purely because I have no mobile phone to ring anyone up.
Pathetic!
Mind you, my actions were nothing compared to the rubber-necking drivers, all slowing down to take a closer look - no doubt taking pics on their phones as they went past. Ironic eh?
Why do I feel so guilty about not helping?
There was a kind lady putting him into that position but I have no idea how he'd come to be there. I don't know if he'd collapsed or just decided to have a sleep as 'he smells heavily of drink' according to another man walking alongside me for a bit.
Upon walking past the young man had his eyes open looking up at me. They were such beautiful eyes..grey. At that point I felt so, SO guilty walking past, even though there were people round him helping and - presumably - contacting the Emergency Services.
I am now sat here thinking about what I could've done to help. I could've sat by him, held his hand and spoke to him whilst the ambulance came. I did none of these things. All I did was leave it to others purely because I have no mobile phone to ring anyone up.
Pathetic!
Mind you, my actions were nothing compared to the rubber-necking drivers, all slowing down to take a closer look - no doubt taking pics on their phones as they went past. Ironic eh?
Why do I feel so guilty about not helping?2 people like this
5 responses
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
13 Nov 12
Yeah, we all do that. We feel guilty about doing something bad, or not doing something good. It's good, though, that you feel guilty about it. It means you mean to help the man originally. Maybe it's not the right time for you to help him that's why you didn't. Maybe God prevented you from doing so for some reason. I tend to think like this when something goes wrong, or if something like this happens. It somehow gives me a peace of mind.
2 people like this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
13 Nov 12
Yes, I think I know what you mean. It was a surreal experience actually, especially in broad daylight. It's not something I come across often..a man lying in the middle of the pavement.
It made me feel a bit better..the fact that others were round him helping even before I got to where he was led (I had to walk past you see in order to get home) so that gave me some comfort as it was obvious one lady in particular was in total control of the situation.
I don't possess a mobile phone either which is invaluable in times of crisis.
1 person likes this
@drkraven (521)
• Romania
13 Nov 12
Not sure why, but it is good you feel this. Means there is a good side of you. It s no help now to think about it. At least now you know it affects you. Next time take some action instead of walking to avoid the guilt. Take care :)
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
13 Nov 12
I guess so. There was an older lady helping and she was brilliant. I so wanted to be like her but I could hear sirens in the distance, so I'm quite sure she had arranged for an ambulance for the young man. He didn't look as though he wanted to go anywhere, which is good in a way. He wasn't struggling, just accepting any help that was given.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47313)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
13 Nov 12
Why do I feel so guilty about not helping?
Because you are so kind-hearted normally.
He may not have been drinking. He could have been a diabetic in a state of very high blood sugar.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
13 Nov 12
hi Janey Its called compassion and you are one who has compassion for people
Its great that you felt guilty but relax as there were people helping him
and that was so good.No not pathetic in that you were very thoughtful and
not a lookie lou, five years ago I had a bad fall beside my favorite
restaurant and out of the group of lookielous looking maybe for blood
'from me somewhere only three,a grandparent couple with their little grandson, who came to reallyhelp me.The woman called the paramedics and the little boy
held my hand and kept telling Me I was going to okay as grams called the para medics to help you. NOw d ont cry.Wow that was so sweet amd after got back hom e fromt he hospitals I put a n notice in the paper thanking the grandparents and
grandson for all their help on that x day in Larwein Square Tustin
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
13 Nov 12
I feel much better now Hatley. Thanks so much.
That was so sweet of you to place a notice in the paper. Did you ever see them again?
@changjiangzhibin89 (16763)
• China
15 Nov 12
You needn't reprove yourself that much.Under that circumstance,What should you have been able to do ? so it was pardonable for you to pass by without doing something.At least, you felt for the young man.It was the cold-hearted drivers who should be censured.They should have helped the young man,but they stoped to watch the fun.
