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Serah Israel-Everett. Photos, Fusaro Photography
If it is true, as a tradition teaches, that “Everything is for the good,” it was fortuitous when Serah Israel-Everett of Kinston Street was injured in a potentially perilous bicycle accident three weeks ago yesterday, 4:45 in the afternoon.
The subsequent series of unplanned events, generated by generous, morally motivated persons who typically go unnoticed, brought about the deserved introduction of this elegant 10-year-old to the wider Culver City community.
It is as obvious that Serah is a special young woman as if she had been wearing blaring neon signs, front and back, declaring such an announcement.
When she was surprisingly, and quietly, presented a special replacement bicycle yesterday afternoon in front of the Jefferson Boulevard Target store by the Police Dept. and certain Target employees, Serah segued into the ideal grateful recipient.
Her soft words of gratitude landed noiselessly with the gentleness of smiling raindrops on a plump pillow.
More significantly, trained impressively in the ways of etiquette by her parents Tammy and Mike, Serah’s verbal deliveries are goldenly framed in an outline that bespeaks courtesy, sensitivity, uncommon, enviable maturity.
This is a profile of Serah Israel-Everett, a fifth grader at Farragut Elementary.
On Tuesday, Feb. 13, when walking her bicycle across an intersection, she was struck by a car, hospitalized – and worse, lost her beloved bicycle.
Twenty-one days later, she was the owner of a lovely bicycle, created with affection by a stranger.
On a cloudy, chilled, blustery afternoon, with her proud family as witness, the blue bicycle was presented with this note attached:
“Dear Little Girl,
“I am very sorry to hear what happened to you.
“I an very thankful to be the one who was given the opportunity to build this bike for you.
“I wish you all the best, and hope you will enjoy this bike as much as I did building it for you.
“Your friendly target employee, Jake.”
Hospitalized for two hours on Feb. 13, Serah, speaking succinctly but smiling with lengthy authenticity, explained that she is feeling considerably stronger than she did 21 days ago.
But she did stay home from school on Valentine’s Day, resting her injuries.
As photographers were snapping pictures of the Serah and her family, she was surrounded by her favorite siblings:
Kaleb, Tal-owrah, and Yiskah.
Police Capt. Dave Tankenson entered the conversation, and he explained to Serah and her family how her sparkling gift came about.
“If you remember, Serah, over there is Office (Mike) Poulin who helped you the day of your accident. Officer Poulan, along with other officers, went to their supervisor, Sgt. (Aubrey) Kellum, and we wanted to get you a new bike.
“Sgt. Kellum came over here to Target, and he was shopping for a bike for you. But the people from Target found out that you guys live close by. Very generously, Mr. (Jose) Carrillo and the people from Target, they want to replace your bicycle that was damaged in the accident.
“They felt bad, but they are glad you are doing well.”
Sheila Dixon Howard, Serah’s great aunt, explained what happened at the scene of the accident.
The car in question had stopped. Serah began walking her bicycle through the crosswalk while the driver looked in the opposite direction. Without noticing Serah, he turned into her and knocked her onto the hood of the car, and the car ran over Serah’s bicycle.
Momentarily, he came to a stop.
Bruised, scarred, and retrospectively fortunate, Ms. Dixon Howard said it was “amazing” how swiftly her niece has healed.
Capt. Tankenson said that when the accident happened at Jefferson and Kinston, Serah, on her way home from school, “was doing everything right, including wearing a helmet and walking her bicycle in the crosswalk.”
