On a Dime

Last Friday, I was running errands in "the city." My daughter-in-law's birthday was coming right up and I had also used up all my ink while printing off legal papers for John's estate.

After leaving Office Max, emergency vehicles came up behind me where I waited at a red light and, since there was literally no place to go, I pulled my car up onto an expansive curb-height middle island and prayed for whoever needed the emergency help. I had no idea that I was scooting and praying for my own. 

I would find out within a half hour or so that Michelle (my daughter-in-law) and Sam were struck as they traveled north in a line of traffic along the four-lane road with a middle turning strip. A rather large business truck t-boned the driver's side door. Apparently, he was traveling south, wanted to turn left, and not having a clue how to use that middle turning lane, he turned directly from his lane rapidly smashing into Michelle's door, which spun Michelle's vehicle 180° as you see in the photo below. He told police that he hadn't seen Michelle's vehicle. How does one not see an SUV? 

My son calmly reported this to me in his phone call which began like this: Mom, there are no life-threatening injuries...  (I do tend to get a bit rattled, but that was intense.) The gist of the story was that Michelle had suffered the most serious injuries and was now in the ER. The car had been twisted in such a way that she needed to be cut free. Sam suffered a "rug" burn on his neck from the seatbelt and also bruises on his side where the seatbelt locks in. Right after the accident, Michelle, calmly as possible, assured Sam that help was coming and that everything would be okay. Mothers are amazing people. Her presence of mind when she was so badly hurt impresses me.

And that's where I came in. My son wanted me to pick up the grands from the ER.  Jake had been with his Grammy and Sam was soon to be released after a time of observation. Michelle's mother and my son would be staying at the hospital with Michelle through surgery on her badly injured arm and subsequent overnight stay. Both aunties were en route and were able to help with caregiving duties as well. Families can pull together quickly when there's a need... circle the wagons style.

It was very interesting to hear the boys' perspectives on the events. Jake jokingly said that he had made the best choice to stay with Grammy that day. Sam told how very frightening it all was. One second he was wondering what he might buy for his friend's birthday party and the next they were spun around in the road bruised and bleeding. Then he told how the driver of the truck (that ran into them) got him out of the vehicle. Someone needs to have a talk with that guy! I'd like to volunteer. 

So what a way to spend one's birthday and right in the middle of trying to move to a new home with boxes piled all over. Sometimes, life just isn't fair and we become discouraged; nevertheless, life is good and we are grateful.  

Yesterday afternoon, after my son had seen the vehicle and taken pictures, we were reminded all over again how very much different the outcomes could have been. Sam had been seated behind his mother and if the impact had been a little different, he'd have been more seriously injured. Michelle could truly have been killed. Thanking God for His protection over them. The injuries are not life threatening, but they are definitely life changing. 

P.S. I was shocked to learn that Renee of Sewn With Grace passed on to Glory on July 5. It was sudden and unexpected her family shares. Such things are a surprise for those left behind, but never to God. Renee was a God-honoring woman. I very much enjoyed her blog and will miss her.