fudge

Friday 9 October 2015

The Saintliness of Surfer Dude

Sometimes I could be accused of not appreciating SD fully.  I guess I just get used to him being so good, and to be honest, it's more fun teasing him about his obsession with lists and being organised and stuff.

But I DO appreciate him and sometimes something happens to make me realise just how fortunate I am!

He's been great with my recent health issues all of which seem to be more or less under control these days.  Well, as far as we can tell anyway with not yet having had some of the results back from the hospital since the middle of July ...  But I'm seeing that as a GOOD thing.  I'm guessing they would probably have been in touch had there been anything to seriously worry about ...

Anyway, like I said, he's been very supportive and concerned and caring.  Sometimes a little overzealous  in my opinion but I put that down to more me being not a very good patient and preferring to ignore health issues and just get on with it.

But that's not the only way that he is good.

On Wednesday Miss Mac and friend set off on the train to Cardiff to see Fall out Boy in concert (I know, I've got NO idea who they are either ...).  They got the train early as apparently standing in a queue for 5 hours is all part of the experience and a great way to make friends.

The train home was just after 10:30pm which would mean leaving the concert a little early and possibly missing the encore. 

At about 10:40pm I got a phone call from Miss Mac, she was very upset.  They had got to the train station with a couple of minutes to spare.  The train was on the platform but the doors were closed.

They approached a member of staff who said that the doors couldn't be re-opened due to health and safety reasons and the train left without them!

The next train to Bristol where they were due to change for Taunton was just before 11:30.  The only problem was that there WAS no connection to Taunton from Bristol until 5:30am the following morning.

Miss Mac and friend were distraught.  They had very little money between them, it had been a long day, it was cold on the now deserted station and there was NO offer of help.

I'm disgusted with the train company, there was NO excuse for shutting the doors early.  I don't know what the health and safety issues are with re-opening them but I DO know there are very real health and safety issues with leaving two 16 year old girls stranded 100 miles from home with no money and I fully intend to take that up with them.

I told Miss Mac to get on the next train to Bristol where at least they would be going to a busy station with heated waiting rooms and I called SD.

He had already had a hell of a day leaving home just after 8am and not getting in until after 10:30 but he didn't hesitate.

'Get yourself ready, call Miss Mac and tell her we will be there to meet the train' he said without any recriminations, no sign of frustration that her plans failing meant that he now had another hour or so's driving each way at the end of a very long day, nothing but concern for her safety and well being.

I couldn't help but reflect on the difference between SD and Ex Lax (my ex, Miss Mac's father) who would never have taken the news so well.  Who rarely puts himself out for his children even to the point where he didn't see Miss Mac looking so beautiful in her Prom dress in the summer because he was too busy getting drunk with his friends at Butlins 20 minutes from the venue (despite saying that he wouldn't be able to get there in time because of work - you don't want to get caught out in lies then don't post it all over FB ... just saying ...).

So yes, SD is practically a saint in my eyes.  We didn't get back until after 2am, he'd been on the go for 18 hours and he had to be up in 5 hours to do it all again and STILL he wasn't complaining.

SD doesn't have children of his own, a combination of choice and circumstance.  I did expect him to accept the fact that I do as part of our relationship but he goes far beyond anything that I could have hoped for.  Sure he finds Miss Mac frustrating at times.  He thinks I do too much for her (I do ...).  He thinks she is often lazy and always untidy (she is ...) but he has assumed a sense of responsibility which he takes very seriously and I couldn't wish for someone better as a role model.

I jokingly refer to SD as saintly but the truth is he's a bit of a star as far as I'm concerned.


8 comments:

joeh said...

The train company should be sued!!! What a bull shit answer, some numb nutz just didn't want to push a button. Don't get me started, those conductor dudes are all on a friggin power trip and always pull crap like that before they go home to their empty basement apartments!

And the way I see it, SD had no choice but to do the right thing. Also, I have two step kids that I was not introduced to until they were 19 and 22, 7 years ago and they are like my own kids today. Well almost.

Emma Kate at Paint and Style said...

Ah, what a lovely post. He certainly sounds like a keeper. It's a good thing to count your blessings. x

Sarah said...

I agree Joe - I'm incensed by the whole thing and that man even checked the train times for them which is how they (and he) knew they couldn't get a connection at Bristol and STILL he just walked away! I'll be expecting answers!

You are absolutely right, SD couldn't just walk away and I wouldn't want to be with someone who could. I always expected him to help but what really impressed me was his good grace in doing so.

He is and it is Emma Kate - it does me good to dwell on it every now and then :-) x

Mike@Bit About Britain said...

Oh God - going into a weekend with a massive inferiority complex...SD sounds like the perfect dad I wasn't! That aside, I totally agree with Joeh. Please save this country from bloody jobsworths and petty sodding rules that push the bounds of credulity. I feel much better now.

A.K. Knight said...

That is something Mr. Feisty Cat (aka Simon) would do, without question, and also something my daughters' dad would not. Hooray for good guys everywhere!

Brighton Pensioner said...

Mike's comments could easily have been mine!

Unknown said...

That is awful! What a crappy train company - definitely raise some hell, if only to stop it happening again. SD is definitely a star. It is so great to know you have found a star!

Sarah said...

SD is pretty good Mike, I don't doubt that you or anyone else would have done the same thing but doing it without any complaint was far beyond my expectations. I have written a very strongly worded letter of complaint to the company who manage the station (and how hard is it these days to work out who that is!).

Absolutely hooray FC! Mr FC and SD really are the good guys!

And mine BP - I found it incredible that they took no responsibility!

He is Holly and I'm very lucky. Hell has been raised and I'm waiting for a reply, we shall see what they have to say ...