Last week, my car was backed into in the early morning hours and rather than being an honourable human being and leaving a note, the driver took off.
Aren't I just the luckiest? And you all thought the bat flying around my bedroom the week before was bad.
I noticed the damage when I left my apartment in the morning to walk to school. My grill was caved in, my hood was dented and both my head lights were damaged. So I called the Big Three to report the incident: Dad, the police and SGI. All were supportive and pointed out that I'd just need to get it fixed and get on with my life. I filed my police report that evening and went to SGI the next day and sulkingly accepted having to pay my deductible and get on with my life.
However, on Friday I was driving to the mall to do some Christmas shopping and I noticed something tucked under my windshield wiper. Though I was in a good mood, I complained that I'd gotten yet another parking ticket, despite being parked totally legally (I'm pretty sure, anyway). But when I got out of my car in the Cornwall parkade, I was rewarded not with a parking ticket (score!) but a note that read "I saw how the damage happened to your car. Call me ..." with a phone number.
How nice is that?
After shopping and driving back home, I called the number. A kindly, polite, awesome human being answered and explained that he, a complete stranger to me, had witnessed a truck back into my car Tuesday morning and had watched it drive away. Not only that, but he took down the vehicle's licence plate information and agreed to speak to the police to report what he'd seen.
Obviously, there isn't a reward for reporting hit and runs. This man will receive no recognition for his good deed. It probably would have been easier for him to forget the whole incident happened, since the accident won't cost him a cent and he's innocent as can be. But he chose to let me know. As far as I'm concerned, he chose to do the right thing.
And the idiot driver who smashed the front of my car might end up being held accountable for his actions. I honestly hope he is. Having to pay my deductible isn't the end of the world, but the hit-and-runner should be punished. Had he left me a note and handled the situation like a grown adult, he wouldn't be risking the punishment I hope will be dealt by police.
Anyway, thank you kind man who stepped up and did the right thing. I'm definitely inspired by your actions. I hope that if ever I am faced with choosing between doing the right thing and doing what is easy, I'll take the same road as the guy who left me the note on my windshield and reaffirmed that good people do exist.
Tonaya Marr is done school for the semester. This means she is available to do your Christmas baking. If you're interested in hiring Tonaya, contact her at tonaya.marr@gmail.com or send her a tweet @TonayaMarr.
