Feb 27, 2007 2 min read

You are the “taker.” I met you on a recent Saturday night. Oh I didn’t get a good look at you but I met you none the less. I was driving the car that you made wreck on Walnut-Hill road. I was the one going the speed limit in my lane, remember? You were the one going about 90 miles an hour around a corner that you can’t go 60 around.

I have met people like you before. You take alcohol or drugs, or you take your frustrations out on the gas pedal of your car. Well, congratulations, friend, you took some things from me.

In case you’re wondering, the three children that were in my car are okay except for a few bumps. My wife is okay too and will be able to teach Sunday school this week. You almost took their lives, and for what? Then you took the $500 that the insurance won’t cover for the damage to my car; it was a total loss.

Also, you took the cost of a rental car and a day’s wages from me. When you took my side of the road, you caused me to have to crash into the trees and guide rail. Then you took off and left us there in the center of the roadway. Maybe some other taker will return the favor and leave you or one of your loved ones like that.

You did give some things to me, though. You gave my children nightmares. You gave me anger toward takers like you that words can’t express. You gave me someone to pray for. Yes, I will pray for you and the next person that you may decide to take from.

You gave me something to think about when I pass the little wooden crosses that cover the embankments along the highways. You didn’t stick around but I got to give you something back. By me crashing and getting out of your path, it probably saved your life, too.

You’re welcome.

David Rutter

Uniontown