Coincidence??
Aug 21, 2019
Having decided to cancel our hike to Andrews Bald due to a threat of severe weather, Marie and I decided to take the approximately 40-minute drive to Elvira's Cafe in Wears Valley for breakfast. Why?
1. It was only 9:00 AM
2. We were hungry
3. We were hungry
4. We were hungry!
As we drove toward Townsend on the way to Wears Valley and our beloved Great Smoky Mountains, we suddenly saw a turtle moving "full throttle" (for a turtle) trying to cross the road!!! It was in the middle of 5 lanes of heavy traffic!! To avoid smashing it, I had to straddle the poor turtle with the wheels of my car. Traffic was moving way too fast to be able to stop right there, so we continued a little distance until we could safely turn around to go back. We drove cautiously to avoid running over the little guy while searching for it. We went far enough to know we must have passed him, so we turned around again. Still no turtle! Then, suddenly, there he was again, right there in the middle! He lifted his head out of his shell and began walking again.
We pull into a side road and stop. I'm just about to exit my car when a swiftly moving car approaches directly toward the turtle!! My heart skips a beat as we envision the poor turtle getting smashed right before our eyes!!! Then, the car abruptly stops, flashers blinking in the middle of Highway 321! The driver jumps out of his car, leaving his door open, runs around the front of his car, and gently picks up the turtle. He quickly but carefully inspects the turtle for injury. Then, with the turtle safely in hand, he walks away from the car, across the other lane of traffic, the sidewalk, a paved area, and out into a field of high grass (still leaving his vehicle blocking the oncoming traffic). A passenger in his car gets into the driver's seat and moves his car over to where Marie and I are cheering for this valiant rescuer!!!
What a blessing!!! What an honor to be present to witness this unconditional Act of Kindness!!
Was it "just a coincidence" that Marie and I were right there, right then? We certainly had not planned to be there at that time.
The turtle had not "planned" to be trapped in the middle of five lanes (four traffic lanes and one turn lane) of crazy, speeding vehicles—it just wanted to get to the other side!
I'm pretty sure our "hero" had not "planned" on forcefully slamming his brakes and jumping out of his car in heavy traffic to rescue a turtle trying to cross a road!
But here we all were!!!
Here we all were -- together -- In the Perfect place -- At the Perfect time to experience the miracle of "Coincidence."
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