EDITOR – Someone’s response to a radio discussion (RSG) on terrorism in our country made me think and wonder about the truth of his contribution. I didn’t listen further to hear the majority’s reaction to this remark.
It is better to live without fear. If nothing happens, at least you can say that you had lived and enjoyed your life, until something does happen. It would have happened anyway, but better without fear than not doing things or going where you would like to go because of fear. Fear can cripple your enjoyment of life.
Don’t tempt fate, but if you have to go somewhere, look in front of you and just walk on. I can hardly believe that in the sixties I walked alone in the evening in Johannesburg streets for ballroom dancing lessons at Arthur Murray. Nobody attacked me and in 2000 I twice walked alone in the evening along West Street and Aliwal Street to attend social ballroom dancing organised by TAFTA until friends took me with them. That awakened the coward in me – I don’t do that any longer. But I enjoyed those dancing evening – no regrets.
Many years ago my daughter worked opposite Dunlop Factory in Umbilo and used to arrive long before employees filled that open area. Early one morning two youngsters with knives tried to take her large handbag from her . She simply clung onto it and said, “You are not going to take my handbag!” Nobody could have heard if she shouted. They let her go. Think what could have happened. Was it that she showed no fear or God’s protection?
Also another incident when she was in her middle years – while her husband and son were fishing at Inanda Dam, she and a lady friend were sitting in her 4×4 BMW, someone pointed a firearm above her head. The car keys were in the ignition. Her and his hands were struggling for the keys. He aimed at her friend then her son arrived. He stormed to them and shouted at the man when her son faced the firearm aimed at him. Her son put his arms in the air. Anyway, nobody was hurt. Was it her bravery or God’s intervention?
One Saturday just after all shops closed, no people in sight apart from the two chatting security guards and an empty car, the parking area beyond Wimpy, Malvern. I got into my car, about to close my door, a strong grip on my shoulder, “step out the car”. I thought, now your turn has come, which I never thought would happen to me. I looked up at the firearm held above to meand noticed it was a toy. “It’s a toy”, I laughed. The young man also laughed with me and let go of my shoulder. I felt no fear.
As I backed my car around the corner to drive off, he got into a car full of his friends. He still waved at me with a broad smile. What if I thought it was a real firearm and panicked? Remaining calm helps.
Tina
Escombe
