Oh *Blush* ? thank you so much Jeanne for that. I actually felt your warmth in my chest and got goosebumps. I appreciate you so much ❤️. Last night's meditation was so beautiful and sweet. I felt so happy afterwards.
It was such a surreal moment meeting Mia because when she said to sit down I kept thinking to myself "why do I hear Henry Kissinger's voice?", then when she moved out of the way I realized the elderly man WAS Henry Kissinger. Perhaps because he's a piece of "history" to me I was at first a bit start struck. I chuckled to myself what an unusual group we were sitting there. My sister in law and her hubby didn't realize who he was at first and said when they left, "that older gentleman looks familiar"! I finally let them know who it was. The other funny thing was that I made the Eucalyptus tree for the restaurant/Inn almost 20 years ago, so it was a bit tattered and I couldn't believe she liked it so much. The Inn keeps taking it out every Christmas. I was going to deliver them a new one when covid hit, but intend on giving them another soon. ? ....It was a funny moment.
When I was 14 we lived on a main road, the stores and gas station was only a few doors away from where the houses began. I really hated living on that main road and to be honest that house was haunted too.... anyway, my father was 100% Italian, and he and his friends would play "Tressette" cards every weekend and alternate homes. I bring that up because one day I was walking to the bus stop to get to high school, which was about 3/4 mile up toward town in front of the old grade school. A man about 40-45 yrs old stopped his car only about 50 feet away from my home and pulled down his window. He called me by name and I told him to go away because I didn't speak to strangers. He said his name was Sal and that he was surprised that I didn't recognize him because he played cards with my dad, in our home (in the basement), and named all the players names I did know. I felt bad, so I came closer to his car. He got me into his car, then drove off. He then admitted he had stalked me for months, asked around about me and my family, admired my very long wavy hair and then told me horrible things he was going to do to me. I was so scared. When he started to go left in a sharp turn (he had to slow down) I opened the door and jumped out into the road. I was bleeding and burned, my jeans were torn but I couldn't feel a thing. I ran to the bus stop and got on my school bus in shock. When I got to school I had them call my mother. Why I didn't run home, I don't know. I was actually thinking how I couldn't miss the bus and be late for school. Crazy but that's what my 14 yr old brain was thinking.
The experience left me scared to walk down the street for a while. Though I had to anyway. Every time a man pulled up next to me I freaked out. Back then there were a lot of men making comments from their car or just guys who were my age doing so too. I was scared but even more so angry. I have never had a daughter of my own, but If I did I would have probably been so over protective. Stranger danger was even more reinforced by the generations after mine. ☮?
Tricia, you were so brave and smart. Hard to imagine a person going to such lengths to entice you into their car. But he didn't count on your strength or quick thinking brain. The school bus ended up being a very safe place and you actually went to school officials which was wonderful and brave.
I hope you got the care you needed afterwards.
I hope they found him.
Thank you both for your kind words, I appreciate you both so much. I never considered myself brave at all but I guess when we are faced with something and you know it's "fly or die" reacting quickly and correctly surprises us all in the moment.
They never did find the man (or at least never told us they did).
@triciact I'm very glad your instincts (or angels) kicked in and made you do what you did. I had an incident happen to me years ago (a man grabbed me from behind in the entry hall of my apartment building) and it was weird how I was totally terrified, but at the same time I automaticallly said and did exactly the right things to make him run off. In the long term having that experience actually made me feel empowered.
@triciact I'm a bit late to respond, but my goodness what an ordeal:s It makes me want to hug my daughter and hold tight.
I cannot express how amazed I am at your 14 year old self's quick thinking and response. Happy that you're with us, sister. ❤️
Ana, I'm so glad you were also successful in thwarting that man!
@lovendures - thank you so much my friend
@moonbeam, thank you too dear one - and yes hug your daughter and we all need to make sure our young loved ones know they can fight back, but more importantly, that they need the skills to know how to avoid these situations.
All: It's such a shame we have to teach our kids about stranger danger but at the same time, not instilling fear. Such a balance.