Be a Part of Your Community, in Good and Bad Times

The blessings of having someone to walk the journey of life with you should not be underestimated.  Your dreams, fears, and goals should mean as much to them as they mean to you. I’m a romance author and I'm lucky to have the MOST amazing man in the world by my side.

The support I get from him is unparalleled. If you’re a writer, or an entrepreneur working on a startup, you understand the need of moral support (at a minimum) from your mate – without it, well, I can’t even imagine how that would work. The reason I’m writing this post is because my latest novel South Beach will be available next week and I’m in awe of how my guy still gives back to the community.

This past weekend my guy decided to show me around the parts of South Jersey he loves.  We set out to travel all over Egg Harbor Township, into Longport and back into Egg Harbor Township again but I’m sad to report that our road trip started with an accident. 

Two cars collided at an intersection.  My guy was the first to run over, stopped the drivers from having a heated exchange, and access the casualties.  A pregnant woman in the minivan passenger seat was pretty shaken up.  He called 911 and then began directing traffic around the vehicles.

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As I stood on the sidewalk and watched him move traffic around the scene, like a seasoned traffic officer (which he isn’t), a woman joined me.  She was finishing her run when she came upon the incident. She began to speak about how this intersection badly needed a flashing yellow light as I watched an ambulance and police vehicle approached and parked a few yards away. (NOTE TO SELF - I need to find out if anyone is actually petitioning to get a light installed and not only talking about it.)

Anyway, I watched as my guy stated his credentials to the officer and continued to handle the traffic so the pregnant woman could be helped quickly. He was composed under pressure and didn’t let any driver linger to get a closer look at the scene. When a second officer arrived at the intersection, putting his crossing vest on, my guy quickly gave up his place and joined me.

He didn’t have to be a first responder to that accident (he’s an electrical engineer) but he has a strong sense of community and duty.  He was thinking about that mother, her unborn baby, and the possibility of seconds being the difference in their medical care.  The moving traffic helped the emergency service personnel to get to her quickly. Thank goodness.

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When my guy re-entered the car and we began again on our South Jersey road trip.  His demeanor was unchanged. He didn’t brag of any heroic effort or give a very descriptive account of what happened to impress me. He just grabbed my hand and kissed it. I told him how amazed I was that he was able to stay calm and keep traffic moving and he shrugged it off.  It wasn’t a big deal, he had the skill-set, this was his community, and he would have wanted someone to do the same for him.

All of us need to remember that accidents and tragedies can happen to any of us. If you can help others, then do so.  And if not, then don’t prevent others from doing their duty or from following their moral convictions.  I pray the passengers of both vehicles are okay and vehicle damage and tickets are their only concerns.

As you can see from the few Jersey shore photos below we’re recovering nicely from Hurricane Sandy.  I’m hope to attend 25th Annual City of Somers Point Bayfest Celebration this month so if you’re in the area on April 27th, I hope you’ll come and support the Jersey Shore.

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