finite compassion
Tonight on my way to class I passed what looked to be a very major car accident on I-70. Smoke was thick in the air, multiple fire trucks and police cars were present, more ambulances were on their way, and traffic was backed up for several miles.
I am pretty sure that this accident, just like the many others that happen in the world each day had serious consequences on all involved. At best, someone or some people will be severely impaired for the rest of their lives. At worst, some people suffered a severe loss; someone lost a mother, father, son, daughter, brother, or sister.
And so I passed this tragedy on, speeding down the highway at 70-75mph, anxious to make it to class on time. The analytic part of me says that there is nothing I can do to help, that even if I did stop I would only be in the way, that those people are receiving all the aid they need plus some, that stuff like this happens every day and it is not physically possible to care for every single event.
Another part, however, wonders if this is nothing more than the rationalization of a busy, self-righteous person hurrying by on the other side of the road towards more important matters.
October 3, 2003 11:29 PM