Inconsideration knows no zip code

Hattiesburg American, June 16, 2008

Have you seen the video of Mr. Angel Torres? He was the victim of a hit-and-run on a busy Hartford, Conn., street.

Onlookers never got closer than five feet. Some cars even drove around Mr. Torres lying there, helpless, in the street.

Initially I thought, "How could these bystanders simply stand and gawk?" My second thought was, "That would never happen here."

Only liberal Yankees could be so cold-hearted as to ignore someone in their time of need.

Then it did happen here. No, not exactly as it did in Connecticut, but similar enough.

On Saturday, June 7, my wife and I were in the turn lane on U.S. 98 waiting to cross the highway to get to the drive-through of a local fast food eatery. Five cars in front of us sat an SUV that was not taking advantage of the gaps in oncoming traffic.

Drivers behind this car began to honk their displeasure and, after several of these gaps came and went, they drove angrily around the stationary automobile and on to their destinations. Not one of these drivers, myself included, stopped to see if we could help. And why should we? We were all in a hurry to get to our destinations and this SUV was in our way. There were two young ladies in the car and the driver was talking on a cell phone. No flashers were on and there were no signs of distress.

After going through the drive-through, we noticed the SUV had still not moved. I pulled to the highway and looked at my wife. We agreed that we should stop and check on them.

Crossing to the vehicle we asked if we could help by maybe pushing them to a safer area. The younger girl, we'll call her "Linda," on the passenger side assured us they would be OK.

She told us the driver, her sister, "Kay," was a diabetic and was having some problems but parents had been called and an ambulance was on the way.

My wife got out of our truck to medically assist and asked me to get a fruit punch from our cooler for Kay. Before the ambulance could get there this young lady had gone from bad to worse and was having trouble swallowing the drink.

Shortly after the paramedics arrived they had Kay loaded in the ambulance and on her way to the hospital. I drove the SUV to the hospital where her family could pick it up when they arrived.

By the time my wife delivered the keys to Linda in the ER waiting room, Kay was doing much better. Having lost our daughter just 16 months prior, this event, needless to say, was horrifically reminiscent.

Callousness is not territorial. Those of us who simply went past this "annoyance" should be ashamed of ourselves. I know I was. Passing them in the first place was wrong of me. It won't happen again.

Kay, wherever you are, thanks for teaching me a lesson.

National Kid's Day

WHAT DOES IT TAKE to establish one particular day as a holiday? Originally a holiday was a "holy day." It was a day established by a particular religion for the recognition of a particular event. There are Christian holidays, Jewish holidays, Muslim holidays, Hindu holidays and more.

Then there are holidays that are secular holidays that are not really holy but are recognized by a government or its people. Internationally we have Valentine's Day, Labor Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day. And we mustn't forget the special holidays like April Fools Day, Friendship Day, and Mole Day. (I'm not making that up!)

With the timing of this article I know you think I am going to focus on Valentine's Day. Actually, I wanted to talk about a holiday that is not on the books now, but it should be.

In May we celebrate Mother's Day. In June we celebrate Father's Day. Any parent who has enjoyed one of these special days has had a similar conversation with their children. That conversation goes like this:

"Mom, why do we have to go eat at Buffalo Wild Wings?"

"Because it is Father's Day sweetie."

"But he doesn't ever like to go to Chic-Fil-A on Father's Day. That Buffalo place doesn't have a play place."

"But sweetie, it is Father's Day and on Father's Day we go where Daddy wants to go for lunch. Besides, Chic-Fil-A is closed on Sundays."

And the response is always... "When do we get to have a kid's day?"

And the response is always... "Why sweetie, everyday is a kid's day."

If you are a parent you know you have said it - or at least thought it. But I propose we actually do something about it. I propose a national Kids Day. However, the Kids Day has a unique set of rules:
1. National Kids Day requires no gifts be given. None. You cannot celebrate the day with a present and then think your obligations are over.
2. National Kids Day is dedicated to spending time with your children doing the things they want to do.
3. National Kids Day requires programming on television be tuned to kid's shows. (And the kids get to yell at you if your head is blocking the screen!)

Quite simply that is it. Take the day and spend it coloring, making crafts, enjoying a nature walk, or going to the park. Your kids should look forward to this day every year as a day they can spend some quality time with you, the parent. Days with our children are precious and few. You both will remember those special days for the rest of your life.

National Kids Day will be a reoccurring holiday that will take place the third Sunday in February each year. This way it will not conflict with Valentine's Day and Super Sunday. (Or hunting season in Mississippi)

I had originally thought of celebrating Kids Day in October but I wouldn't dare think of interfering with Mole Day!