Not My Time Yet?

I often wonder why spirits 'choose to show themselves' at particular times - ranging from the mundane (my burned pies account, 'Daddy's Chirpies') to possible life-threatening experiences (valkricry's 'Big Brother Is Watching'). Why not all the time; especially in perilous situations? Is it perhaps a matter of 'It's not your time yet'? Whatever the reasons, I am thankful and grateful when I'm the object of their interventions.

29 August 2018

On 22 August, I had cataracts removed from my right eye, resulting in what the doctor assured me is a temporary loss of right peripheral vision - no worries, no pain, except for my slight anxiety to get behind the wheel and drive. Consequently, I decided to take the bus to my closest Home Affairs office to replace my missing identity document. That's where we, South Africans, go to register births, deaths, apply for identity documents and passports etc.

The distance from my home to the bus stop is less than 100m, however, it necessitates me crossing a busy double-carriage road (both ways), separated by a grass-covered median strip lined with trees. I had to board a bus going in the westerly direction.

Even though the office opens at 8am, I left home at 5:50am in order to beat the endless queue that starts snaking its way around the building from 6:30am onwards. It's a short trip; approximately 5km, however, despite adequate street lights, it is still dark and eerily quiet. Winter still has us firmly in its arctic grip here in Cape Town. A bit of information on typical winter weather here - commonly stormy, but we're also blessed with temperate and sunny days. No snow, but icy blasts slam us from the snow-covered mountains around towns further away.

I'm standing on the pavement (sidewalk) checking oncoming traffic (from the right), and when I'd considered it safe to cross, I stepped off the pavement and took my first steps to cross the road when I got yanked back by the strap of my denim duffel-style bag (slung over my left shoulder). I was not close to a pole or any obstruction that my bag might have gotten snagged around it to cause me to physically retreat. I nearly fell on my bum stepping back so violently. I immediately thought 'robber!', however, because my area is notorious for early morning robberies of people on their way to work, I'd been vigilant and kept myself aware of my surroundings and when I recovered from stepping back, I looked all around and there was not a soul in sight, except for two people (female silhouettes) waiting at the bus stop (for the bus going in the easterly direction). So, either it was a super swift robber who managed to scramble between the houses in the fraction of the time it took me to recover, or I'd somehow stepped out on wobbly legs? But the sudden WHOOSH of a car speeding past me, causing my coat to flap around me, set my legs trembling. The driver had failed to switch on the car's lights and it was a dark coloured car. I didn't even see it approaching.

I stood on that pavement for a good minute or two, scared immobile, even though there were several chances for me to cross the road safely - I could not move - until a gentle prod in my back jabbed me to life. I spun around expecting to see someone looking for my attention, but there wasn't a soul in sight. I told myself I'm imagining things now because of the fright from nearly being knocked over.

I stood for several seconds, checking the road for oncoming traffic, straining my eyes to be sure I wouldn't miss another reckless driver when I heard it. "It's safe now".

I can tell you it was a male voice, with a familiar gravelliness to it. I can also tell you that this particular road has seen its fair share of fatal pedestrian accidents - the last being my brother's best friend who died last year while he crossed the road and was was run over by a speeding driver. He died on impact at the spot I had been standing; give or take a few steps. The rest of my short trip was uneventful. Not that anything could 'outshine' someone caring enough to reach out from behind the veil to save my life.

May his spirit rest in peace. He was a sweet soul, and as I'd been told by another YGS member with regards to the personality/character of spirits from beyond - "as in life, so in the afterlife", so it shouldn't be a surprise that he showed up when he did, right. It wasn't my time yet?