One extra beat

My life flashed before my eyes today. Again. It's the second time in a month.

There's a busy intersection in Woodside that we cross every day to walk the dogs. A few weeks ago, the walk signal came on. We stepped toward the crosswalk when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a driver in the car to my left glance left, tap the brakes, and gun it right (without even looking to the right.)

He missed us by inches.

I may have yelled something less than inspirational.

Since then, even when the walk signal says "Go," I wait a beat.

Today, that one little habit may have saved us - again!

The walk signal came on. I paused.

A split second later, a car came flying through the red light.

If we'd started walking when we were supposed to, we would have been standing in the middle of the intersection. 

A few months ago I watched the cutest little chipmunk get hit by a car on this same street.

The driver never stopped.

I was convinced he was dead.

He didn't move.

Not an inch.

Tiny paws in the air.

I just stood there staring at him, wondering if I should run into the road and move him before another car came along.

And then...

He blinked.

Shook himself off.

Looked around like he'd just woken up from a nap.

And scampered into the grass.

I couldn't believe it.

Maybe that's why today's close call stuck with me.

Sometimes the smartest thing we can do is pause.

Not forever.

Just long enough to make sure it's actually safe to move forward.

Life has a funny way of reminding us that one second can change everything.

Slow down.

Take the extra beat.

The universe may have bigger plans for you.

P.S. If you live in Sacramento... can we all agree to stop running red lights? Some of us (and one very lucky chipmunk) would really appreciate it.

PSS. Public Works: We've had two near misses in the same crosswalk in the past month where drivers ran a red light while we were legally crossing with the walk signal. We walk this route daily and are concerned this intersection may need a safety review or signal timing evaluation.