Wow, J. Todd! We don’t know each other, but my heart goes out to you.
I’ve several times been a situation to break up fights. Thankfully I’ve never been hurt, but I’ve always felt lucky afterwards. One time, when I was about 15, I was too stunned to try. I’ve always felt guilty about that one. Since then, I’ve usually got in the middle of it. I guess I’d rather feel lucky that I wasn’t hurt than guilty I didn’t help.
If the situation does arise again though, I think I may be more careful about rushing in headlong and if I’m dialing the police, I’ll keep my head up and move back a bit. Ouch!
I can’t help but think the rest of the crowd was pretty damned selfish to not lift a finger – especially when the attackers went after you, a member of the crowd! What was that device in the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy books, a Not My Problem Field Generator?
I’m glad to hear you dialed. I hope others in the crowd did as well, or slipped away to a hotel lobby to call from safety, but part of me wonders if everyone else just thought it wasn’t their problem. The man turning on you shows pretty clearly that violence like that is everyone’s problem.
Hope you have a speedy recovery. Sounds like your daughter is the perfect medicine, and you’ve got a good attitude, so I’d guess you’re well on your way. 