My suburb boasts many conveniences and beauty of green hills and wilderness surrounds
Shops, a railway line, easy transport, lagoons and playgrounds
It seems mostly peaceful, mostly pleasant
The short conversations I share as I journey alongside those who live around me mostly boost my soul
Baristers, other parents dropping and picking up children from school, other walkers and runners on the paths I stroll
I nod and say hello to others on the path. They smile back and wish me a good day.
Then with some exchanges I struggle to keep my shakes at bay
The rhythm and melody of life is broken
I cross the crossing with my baby and two year old and my two year old stumbles and falls
I stop and bend down to help her up
A man in a ute is forced to slow down.
He hits a metaphorical wall
He shouts expletives because my stopping has inconvenienced his day.
He aggressively swerves his ute around us and presses on away.
I am shaken and worried about my children absorbing this anger. I manage to help my toddler up and hold her hand while I push the pram in which my baby sits to the side of the road.
An older mother and daughter come run over to comfort me and check that I am ok
I am happy that others have seen what has happened
I feel calmed that others care but still worried for the man and those in his orbit
I pray the deep anger held deep by those who engage in this behaviour is confronted, addressed and resolved
I pray those who may be in danger in these domestic situations may be able to escape and find safe haven
I pray for deep peace and healing for all troubled souls in our suburb and our community.
Amen