Taxi drivers can be so forthcoming with chat and all the latest news. Its fab. I don't know if its me but I often have interesting conversations with taxi drivers while going from A-B. One particular family run taxi firm, I know and use often. Remember they are out and about driving around, picking up gossip, seeing things happening on streets, its a hub of activity.
Recently I was asked by the owner of this family run firm if I would pop in to visit one of the drivers as he was off with depression and could be doing with company. WHAT UNPAID!! unheard off ha ha. It was an unusual request but as I've stated know them all really well and although they make a lot of money from my hires have got to know the bunch really well.
So I did what I promised and had the guys phone number to call. I did and you could tell by his voice he wasn't in a good place at all. He didn't think it would be a good idea for me to come round to his place as he stated it was a bit unkempt. Anyway as persuasive as I can be I said I wouldn't look at the mess.
So two days later I walked down his path wondering what the hell I was doing. It wasn't safety issues that concerned me it was the fact I was visiting a taxi driver! This guys in his late 40's divorced but has a relationship and access with his two kids and has an on/off girlfriend. Works part time weekends driving taxis. When he answers the door he presented a bit bedraggled, needing a shave, wash and hair tidied. His voice was a bit low as he apologised for the messy house before I had stepped inside to see it. So I didn't entirely know what was wrong and what I was walking in to. I just knew at this point he was sad.
So I moved a few things to grab a seat as I was handed a cup of coffee. I told him I had been chatting with his boss and the family were worried about him and that's why I was given your number and because of this genuine concern I also felt concerned enough to get in touch. I was unaware as to what had happened for him to have such a low mood.
His story unfolded, he was sitting outside a nightclub at 1am when two guys got into his taxi and directed him as to where they wanted dropped off. Half way along the road one guy grabbed the hand break and the other from behind moved forward and put his arm and hand at his neck. He stated everything happened so fast and the car had stopped. One of the guys was out the car and kicking the mirror and lights on the taxi, he went around to the taxi drivers door and pulled him out. They proceeded to rip the taxi car to bits, smashing the windows and took a knife to the seats. He was terrified and upset that he couldn't move and just stood their in shock. The guys then decided to urinate over him and the taxi just as a passing police car thankfully seen what was happening and caught the two guys on the scene.
I could have wept for this man as he sat their humiliated recalling his story and said he didn't know if he was going back to work. He was glad I was their to listen to him as really this is what he needed to get things out and at least talk through the trauma. He almost sat in disbelief when I went through all the things he had told me. He stated "This happens to other people, not me" and "I feel as if you are talking about someone else and this didn't happen to me". I guess he just wanted to disassociate his experience as it was raw and painful.
He understood why his boss wanted me to visit him. He told me "You always are a pleasure to drive around" and laughed because I tipped well and seemed interested in his day and how his shift was going. He said he needed reminded that he had good passengers. What a compliment to have someone share their experience of you. I left him feeling hope that things would improve for him. Its hard sometimes sitting with someones pain but I knew he was beginning to heal.
It doesn't really take much to lend a hand to someone in need, at some point in all our lives the unexpected happens for whatever reason and we need support. I was left with anger that these guys did this act of violence. They weren't motivated by money and stealing his evenings takings. I wish they could only see the consequences. I guess if most people knew about the consequences and not what is served out in a court room but to the victims the reality behind crimes. Then much of what occurs may not happen.
I don't have a moral of this blog or any particular reason for writing this I just wanted to share a bit about life and the effects we and others can have on each other. I'd like to think that for every horrible thing there can be small acts of kindness. Its the belief in people and the good things that can give us all a bit hope. x
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