Angels in San Francisco
I hesitate to use a Judeo-Christian term for something so much larger than the Jews' and Christians' stab at Polytheism, but 'angel' is also an American term, a somatic and non-religious concept applied to someone who helps and protects when he or she could easily just walk away.
There were such people about me when I had the accident a week ago today. I never got any names, but I did have a flash of lucidity enough to have Sam save the phone # from his cell phone: the woman who first helped me and called 911 then called Sam to let him know what was going on, so I figured her number probably came through to Sam's phone. So I have her number, but I do not remember her name. I will call her when I have some sense that my situation has stabilized (with a chest tube still in me, I don't have that confidence).
But there were others, more than I could have expected:
- a man with a soft and beautiful voice who removed his own jacket and put it on the wet pavement to keep my head propped up. He spoke to me, telling me help was on the way and that he was sure I'd be well taken care of. He stroked my head softly as he said this.
- the woman who was first there, who listened to my wailing and who, after making all the calls she needed to, removed her scarf—lime green and very soft—and wrapped my bleeding right arm with it protecting the wounds from the cold, wet, dirty pavement.
- other men who showed up, getting thermal sheets and other blankets and covering me with probably five or six different things while being sure not to move my body at all.
- two that I saw uprighting the Vespa and getting it out of the street.
- There were people who stood behind me, in the street, to be sure that traffic kept away from me
- the paramedics, who were the right mix of moxie and empathy.
- the police, who politely intruded to obtain the necessary information.
This is San Francisco to me. These are San Franciscans, likely not Believers of God, likely not penitent or self-abnegating or particularly sensitive to others or in the practice of putting others' needs before their own. These are not people I would venture are martinets or following any absolutist doctrine in their day to day lives.
Yet these are people who saw someone in need, and rushed to do it. And went beyond the call of the duty they may or may not have felt obliged to. These were just decent people who helped me out. They helped me out in ways I cannot fully describe or even attempt to measure.
And beyond that one cell phone number I have, if, by the magic of San Francisco's serendipity and wondrous connectedness and of you who were among those I listed are reading this, I beg you to say hello. Do me that one final kindness of letting me know who you are.
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Comments
likely not Believers of God.
More assumptions? Even in a hospital bed, you're an arrogant and hateful prick to Christians.
Some people never learn.
Posted by: Holding My Own | January 7, 2006 01:08 AM
It wasn't meant to be insulting, Holding.
It's been my observation, that's all. No one I know or know of actually goes to church.
I think the word 'likely' was a dead giveaway.
How was that statement in any way hateful and arrogant to anyone? Are you a Christian? If so, how have I offended you? And also if so, what Christian attacks someone who is in the hospital?
and if NOT, what is your point?
Posted by: GodOfBiscuits | January 7, 2006 01:23 AM
Perhaps you didn't intend it to be insulting, but is sure as hell is.
That's no different than me commenting on my death bed that I was glad to have HIV free blood because it most likely wasn't from a gay.
It's a hurtful and mean thing for you to have written and suggested.
If I were to see you or anyone else hurt on the street, I'd be the first to aid you and that has NOTHING to do in my belief in christ. It's simply what decent people do.
Despite your ill temperment, I wish a speedy recovery and hope you're able to pick up where you left off. I'm sure you're suffering is incredible.
God bless.
Posted by: Holding My Own | January 7, 2006 02:42 AM
I think you're insane.
I painted a picture that suggested that these people had no traditional motivation for helping me when I was lying there on the street, and yet they did.
Like a typical troller, looking for a fight, you took one bit out of context, ignored the rest, and went on a little rant.
Posted by: GodOfBiscuits | January 7, 2006 02:56 AM
I make amends and wish you well even after you insulted myself and all other christians and you spit in my face?
How petty of you.
Posted by: Holding My Own | January 7, 2006 04:47 AM
Amends? Amends?
I corrected your wild-ass assertion.
"likely", when written in a statement like I wrote, indicates no authority on the matter, but rather a ventured guess. Look at the title of the entry. Look at the first paragraph. I painted a picture of people that didn't fit what the louder christians in america see as compassionate people, but rather raging, godless, morally bankrupt 'liberals', and yet there they were, demonstrating all those qualities—and more—that strident christians like you assume we all lack.
But I guess you missed a point.
Posted by: GodOfBiscuits | January 7, 2006 05:41 AM
"I corrected your wild-ass assertion."
You corrected nothing. You offered a lame explanation for your hate speech towards christians.
I've come to realize that you're just a morale coward. You lack both the integrity and the courage to come out and say what you implicate.
Posted by: Holding My Own | January 7, 2006 07:31 AM
Wow, Holding, that's a bit dark, even for you.
I heap praise on the San Franciscans who helped me, and all you seem to get out of it is that I took a pot shot at christians at large.
Please, if that's all you got out of what I wrote, you don't really belong here.
I was humbled by the effort those people took for a total stranger and I painted a picture that gave them the most possible *personal*, *individual* credit for being good and decent people.
Posted by: GodOfBiscuits | January 7, 2006 07:42 AM
"and I painted a picture that gave them the most possible *personal*, *individual* credit for being good and decent people."
But of course you had to poin out that these good and decent people were "likely not Believers of God."
You know, God of Biscuits, I simply take slight to the way you portray christians on your blog.
You as well, have taken offense to what you percieve as my portrayal of gay males in an earlier post.
Perhaps you should know a bit about presecution yourself. As a christian, I'm tired of it.
Posted by: Holding My Own | January 7, 2006 08:08 AM
Here's an idea for killing two birds with one stone, Holding:
1. Leave here.
2. Use your energy to shut Pat Robertson up.
Then you should feel better in two ways.
Til then, I should think it quite telling that I said "believers in God" and you make the assumption that that could only mean Christians. What? the other religions aren't truly believing in God? What about the others who have other gods? Don't those gods count in your book? Because strangely enough, they (and the christian god) count in mine.
Posted by: GodOfBiscuits | January 7, 2006 08:17 AM
This entry was simply wonderful. My best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Posted by: GraceD | January 7, 2006 08:43 AM
You're a hateful and spiteful person.
Posted by: Holding My Own | January 8, 2006 03:00 AM
Thanks, anonymous.
Buh-bye.
Posted by: GodOfBiscuits | January 8, 2006 06:59 AM