That Same Old Feeling
Posted: Monday, September 05, 2011
by Teresa Ortiz
Freelance writer/Speaker
It happened yesterday, the instant sinking feeling followed by a rush of adrenaline. It has been a long time since this feeling arose from the pit of my stomach, and frankly, it would have been just fine if I had never felt it again.
But there it was, that same old feeling that something wasn't right. A flash from my past, the quick duck before being seen by him, clouded my vision as I pulled into the parking space. Don't get out of the car. Don't make eye contact. Act as if you changed your mind, back out. NOW. These thoughts raced through my mind as this man stared for a moment and then stopped right next to my car. He turned with his face down, but did not move. Certain he was waiting for me to get out of my car, I calmly put my car in reverse and backed out. Just as I suspected he continued to walk forward, never looking back, but knowing I was gone.
Coincidence? Maybe. But that was a feeling I learned to trust at such a young age, I wasn't about to take a chance. I drove to the gas station a few blocks away - watching my surroundings closely as I pressed down tightly on the handle. As if the gas would flow faster. My heart began to beat a little slower as I chuckled at the situation. Again my heart froze when I saw him across the street heading in the direction of the gas station. Coincidence - maybe, but just in case: Shoulder length-layered, dark brown hair, Mexican, blue jeans, faded green shirt, about 5'9" black tennis shoes.
I drove out of the gas station, looking straight ahead, while shifting my eyes to and from his direction. He was in his own world, swaying back and forth. Surely it was not coffee in the cup he held. Not knowing how to feel, I said a quick prayer, thanking God for his deliverance, and protection in the past (and maybe at that moment.) My heart went back to normal and I went back to the video store to return the movie.
Living in fear is not an option - it cripples, but acting on instinct is never a bad choice. Even if it's just a coincidence.
But there it was, that same old feeling that something wasn't right. A flash from my past, the quick duck before being seen by him, clouded my vision as I pulled into the parking space. Don't get out of the car. Don't make eye contact. Act as if you changed your mind, back out. NOW. These thoughts raced through my mind as this man stared for a moment and then stopped right next to my car. He turned with his face down, but did not move. Certain he was waiting for me to get out of my car, I calmly put my car in reverse and backed out. Just as I suspected he continued to walk forward, never looking back, but knowing I was gone.
I drove out of the gas station, looking straight ahead, while shifting my eyes to and from his direction. He was in his own world, swaying back and forth. Surely it was not coffee in the cup he held. Not knowing how to feel, I said a quick prayer, thanking God for his deliverance, and protection in the past (and maybe at that moment.) My heart went back to normal and I went back to the video store to return the movie.
Living in fear is not an option - it cripples, but acting on instinct is never a bad choice. Even if it's just a coincidence.
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Top-level comments on this article: (8 total)I had something like this happen at Walmart a couple days ago - strange guy sitting in the space next to me in his car and just sat there. I realized it as I got out and scurried to the door. when I came back with a few items a bit later I asked the greeter to watch while I went out - he propped the door and came outside with me watching me go back - I went in on the passenger's side of the truck instead of the side next to the guy. He has left by then and was in the store (I think I saw him there actually) But you need to be aware and alert.
AMEN!Hi Marijo,
I know this isn't uncommon, but sometimes things are just too eerily familar. Yes. Alert at all times. Blessings! T
Hi Teresa.
I think it was Albert Einstein that said that intuition is the highest form of intelligence. In my youth, I would have poo-pooed that statement. But now I can see there is truth in it.
Thank you so much for those last two lines. Here's to never letting fear master us! Hard as that may sometimes be. And here's to you NOT having that feeling too often even though I know you can handle it.
Big hugs,
DianneHi Dianne, thank you for sharing. I do believe God gives us instincts and does hope that we learn from past situations. And thanks for the vote of confidence. Big hugs to you too!
We should never ignore human instinct and woman's intuition. Together, they're formidable! Yours seems to be in good working order. Enjoyed reading your article- Thanks- Always-EllaYou are so right! Thanks Ella, I appreciate you and your encouraging words. Blessings to you! Teresa
You were wise to listen to your instinct. You read about crime everyday in the headlines but I think most of us think it will never happen to us or to those we love, until it does. Good reminder to stay aware of your surroundings at all times.Hi Brianna. So true. We always think we are safe. I remember a college aged girl from our community was kidnapped and murdered. Perhaps you may have heard the story, it was all over the news - Brooke Wilburger? It rocked our little community to say the least - though she was in another city when it happened....
hi, i hope you you don't mind me saying your article was very informative and i am new to writing articles and don't know much about writing apart from writing songs so some are about god and some are just kind of folky or a wee bit catchy. Any way to get to the point, i know we live in an uncertain world,well some would say but i believe that it is the devil himself that puts the negative and destructive thoughts in our minds apart from the news. So my point is god does love us all its the devil himself that trys to throw doubt so he can take it away from you.So always think positve even at your vunrable moment to keep him away.
Sorry for the rambling, oh just one more thing the whole point of being a hiuman being is to strive to be better than what you all ready are.
Hope i got across what i was trying to explain. Well this writng thing isnt as easy as it lookskindest regards gerry from scotland age 46 with 3 little ones. be alert go advice.Hello Gerry. Welcome to search warp. I appreciate your comment. You have come to the right place to learn and grow as a writer! It's good to have you here. I will read your work! Blessings, Teresa
Nice, interesting comment string. eerie article. thanks
What do we do with this Story Teller group of ours and the new Searchwarp stuff?Hello Jack. Thank you for reading and thank you for stepping up as group leader, I know you will do a great job! Lately I have been challenged to mix truth with fiction and learn to develop story lines. I have only written one fiction story since I have been writing (7 years - a little over 3 for SW.) I think it would be fun to have a writing assignment like this. This might not be a challenge for the other members of this group, but it sure would be for me.
Blessings to you! Teresa
Teresa, I enjoyed reading your article and I especially appreciated your caution. This is a dangerous world and when faced with the eerie feeling of something not being quite right, then it seems best to err on the side of caution. My family often calls me on being cautious with my family members - I steadfastly encourage alertness and caution. Be safe, not sorry. It's nothing more and nothing less. Safety not grief!
Wow, T - that's a little unsettling. I believe God gives us those "gut" feelings as part of his protection. Thanks for sharing your story.
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