A Haven for Vee

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

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.

62 comments:

  1. My goodness, they were definitely been watched over. Thankfully everyone is safe, praying for their continued safety.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am so very sorry about this wreck. Praying that Michelle will feel better soon. I am thankful to the Lord that everyone survived.
    I did not know Renee but I have lost blog friends in the past. God bless her family/friends.

    ReplyDelete
  3. So sorry that your family had to deal with this, but I am so glad they are all safe and hope they will all be recovered very soon. Hugs to you all. xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. So sorry to hear of this accident! Praise God everyone survived! You just never know once you leave your driveway these days!

    ReplyDelete
  5. My goodness, Vee...I am so glad that they are ok. Keeping you in prayer.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is a reminder to me to pray for protection each time I get behind that wheel. So glad the injuries weren't worse. God was truly there with them. I'll be praying for healing for all of them.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh my goodness, Vee, how absolutely awful a time for you and your family. I am so thankful that they will all eventually be alright but I am sure the memory of that accident will never be completely gone, We tend to remember traumatic things in our lives. My prayers for you all.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Vee, so sorry to hear of this accident and the loss of your blogging friend. I will be praying for your DIL's quick recovery. How frightening it all must have been..

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh Vee, I'm so sorry. Life is so fragile. Thanks be to God your family was spared. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh My! Thank goodness that it was not worse. That had to be scary.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Scary stuff! After the unexpected loss of two friends last month, I mentioned to my daughter in law that its so important to know that your right with God, because you don't know what a day will bring. This is exactly what I was talking about. Praying for Michelle as she recovers and for Sam, too.

    Sorry about the loss of this blogging friend. I didn't know her, but thankful she was right with God!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh Vee, so very sorry to read this. Praying for swift recoveries for Michelle and Sam. You're so right, things can change in an instant. Good thing we don't know what's ahead... Sorry to read of the loss of a blogging friend. Hugs to you... ♥

    ReplyDelete
  13. I may be on a "blogging break," but I must pop in to say that I am so sorry that Michelle and Sam had to go through this . . . and of course, all of you who love them are going through it too! An automobile accident is so startling and troubling and sometimes more so as the days go on. I pray that Michelle has a gentle recovery and that both she and Sam are comforted by the Lord. Praise Him for His protection over them!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. So very thankful that Michelle wasn't killed or left in worse condition. Car accidents can be so traumatic after it is over; we had a bad one 20 years ago and it took a long time for me to get over it.
    Praying for quick healing.
    Hugs, Noreen

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sorry to hear about the accident, but I am glad that the injuries weren't life threatening.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh how awful but sure glad to hear it wasn't worse. Things can change in an instant. Prayers being said that Michelle and Sam heal quickly.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Praise the Lord there were no serious injuries! God is so very good! Hugs dear Vee and prayers for you, your family and your blogging friend's family.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Vee,
    So very glad your family was not seriously injured. I hope that Michelle recovers quickly....how scary for everyone! You are so right about how quickly life can change. Too instances of life changing events in one blog post--thoughts and prayers for your family and Renee's family as well. xo
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  19. Praising God for His hedge of protection over your children dear Vee. I am always reminded that our Lord is an on time God. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh my, I'm so thankful the accident wasn't worse and that Michelle and Sam will be OK. Prayers for healing and for you too Grandma. So sorry to hear of another blogger passing, I didn't know Renee but am aware how hard it is when someone we've become friendly with passes suddenly.
    Hugs,

    ReplyDelete
  21. It is truly stunning how quickly things can change. I am so glad the outcome is not more serious than it already is. I am praying for all those involved (physically and emotionally). May you all feel the Lord's comfort and healing.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh my goodness!!! So thankful that Michelle and Sam will be O.K. What a horrid scare. Sorry to hear about your blog friend Renee. Things change on a dime indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  23. So grateful they were all ok. Life can certainly turn on a dime. Hugs to you and THEM.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Dear Vee, I'm glad your family members will be okay. Healing can take a long time, and I especially pray for Sam as he deals with the trauma of the event. His comment captured the suddenness of how life can change. As you do, I pray for those for whom the ambulance is helping. How gracious our God is.
    Hugs to you and your loved ones.

    ReplyDelete
  25. So sorry this happen to your birthday girl.
    Thankful they will be okay.
    I know you have been very upset, I would be.
    God gives us a defense in this world, His word.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Terrifying! Thanks be to God, they are safe and there was so much family help available so nearby....Such things can leave us very shaken.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oh NO.....so glad they are all safe and sound. Things like that can turn on a dime and throw you for a loop.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I am so very sorry to hear this. How scary this must have been for Michelle and Sam. You summed it up well in your last sentence. Most definitely a life changing moment. Keeping them in my prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh my goodness! First of all, I'm praising the Lord with you that HE had his BIG HAND on Michelle and Sam! You are so right...on a dime...our life can change. I pray Michelle's injuries are not too severe and healing comes quickly! And yes, God id still good, ALL the time. Hugs to you and yours. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thank God that Michelle and Sam are alive and not anymore severely hurt. I am thankful that you were able to help them out and it is just another reminder of how short life is and how it can change on a dime.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Oh, my goodness, how quickly our lives can change. So thankful that they were not more seriously injured. Praying for a quick and complete recovery for your DIL. You are always so inspiring, even in the worst of circumstances. Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Oh dear Vee, so so thankful with you that your DIL and Sam are going to be fine. What a horrible accident. Praying that her arm will be fine. Also praying that the move will still go well.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Oh my, Vee I am so glad to hear that Michelle was OK, although she had injuries, and that Sam was not hurt. How frightening for all! Accidents are always shocking and unexpected. Thank God it wasn't far worse. I will pray they heal quickly!

    Sad to hear about your blog friend. We always have to be prepared to be called home. May she rest in peace.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Oh Vee, I can't believe this! What an awful thing to happen, but I'm so very glad they're both okay. It sounds like it could have been so much worse. Sadly, people seem to drive like maniacs (like your truck driver) around here every day. Hal says we're going to have to get a dash cam for our vehicles. I do hope Michelle makes a speedy recovery; it sounds like she can count on her family to take care of her and the boys during this time. :) So glad Sam didn't receive serious injuries.

    I'm sorry for the loss of your blogging friend; I know you'll miss her. Take care, Vee, and have a better week.

    Love and hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

    ReplyDelete
  35. This was horrendous...to think you pulled over for rescue squads to get to your own family. I am so grateful everyone is fine. Getting cut out of the vehicle, that's serious. Brave young people. I hope Michelle continues to heal.

    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  36. OH Vee...thank the Lord everyone is alright...how frightening indeed....yes life can turn on a dime.....I so hope they recover well and quickly...so very sorry this happened. Take good care ...

    ReplyDelete
  37. That is so scary! I'm glad to hear they will be alright but our minds always go to how much worse it could have been. And it's never easy to get that phone call that someone you love has been in an accident. Good for us to remember about how quickly our lives can change...in an instant. I'm keeping them in my prayers sweet friend. Hugs, Diane

    ReplyDelete
  38. How scary for your family. We were struck, head on, when I was pregnant with Kelly and she was born 6 weeks early. Belted in ruptured my membranes, but things could have been worse if we hadn't. Life is always giving us challenges; I just saw the movie "The Shack." I was wondering if you would like it Vee? I can send it to you to watch, then pass it on to someone you think would like it, XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  39. How frightening. I'm so thankful that Michelle and Sam weren't seriously hurt or worse. Car accidents are one of my biggest fears. People are just so careless. I'll pray that Michelle's injuries are quickly mended. I'm sorry to hear about your blog friend.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Oh my, I am so sorry to hear this. I am thankful for God's protection over them and praying that Michelle is doing well. That is really something about your prayers and not knowing it was for your own family. ((Hugs))

    ReplyDelete
  41. Oh Vee how scary! For ALL of you! I am so sorry this happened, but like you thank God that it wasn't with life threatening injuries. I pray for a speedy recovery for your DIL and also that Sam will not have any lasting fears over this, but rather a sense of peace knowing that God protected them both. HUGS to you!

    ReplyDelete
  42. So thankful for God's protection on Michelle and Sam. As you said, it could have had a far different outcome.

    I had not visited your friend Renee's blog previously, but oh, how sudden and sad. So thankful that she knew the Lord!

    Loved your Psalm 62:8 graphic. One of my favorite verses!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Oh Vee, how quickly life can change! I pray that her recovery will be full and as soon as possible. It certainly puts into perspective what's really important in life.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Praise God that there were no worse injuries! I wouldn't want to mess with a big truck. Horrible and frightening, but thankful that everyone survived. Praying for Michelle and the family. I was shocked by Renee's death too. We had been blog buddies for many years, I also just saw BJ's post that Bill had passed. So many prayers for so many people.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I loved reading that the prayer that you had said was for your own dear loved ones, Vee. My, the outcome of the accident could have been much worse. Praise the Lord for Michelle's and Sam's lives being saved...so much to be thankful for.
    I did not know your friend, Renee, but was saddened to know about her death. I was also saddened to know about bj's Mr. Sweet.

    ReplyDelete
  46. The impulse to pray when emergency vehicles are being deployed is always important to heed isn't it? Praying without ceasing; even praying for the person in the cars ahead and beside you because God allows us to do that.
    I pray and thank God your daughter-in-law will recover; your grandson is fine (and probably will become a better driver himself one day due to this experience) and I pray angels and friends will set about making the move related boxes get put away quickly.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Oh Vee! What a scare. I'm so thankful the injuries weren't more serious. Will pray for Michelle's healing and offer thanks for His protection. And I am sorry about your blog friend. xo Deborah

    ReplyDelete
  48. Bless you... I know that was an adrenaline pumping kind of day. I am very thankful that your d-i-l and gran are safe and (if not sound) on the road to mending fully. Yes, there have been so many times that I have known that God has had his hand of protection on me and my family. I don't know how those who don't trust Him can make it through this life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, my friend. This is one of the many times that I wish that you were not a "no-reply" blogger. My prayers are with you and your family in this most difficult time.

      Delete
  49. I am so thankful that you are writing that everyone is okay. How is Michelle doing? Yes, life can change on a dime. I'm praising God that they are okay.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Wow. I'm glad your daughter-in-law and grandson were not more seriously hurt Vee. Yes, it only takes a split second for life to change tragically. I'm glad for you that this was a good outcome. I see that BJ's (Sweet Nothings) husband passed away after his battle with cancer. Sorry to hear of your blogging friend's passing as well. Murray's sister passed away last week - cancer - but it was sudden. The gates of heaven are busy. ;-) Have a blessed weekend. Hugs. Pam

    ReplyDelete
  51. Oh Vee I'm so sorry to hear the news of the accident but so very thankful they are ok! Will keep them in my prayers for quick healing. Hope only good things come your way for a long time! enjoy your weekend.

    Blessings,
    Jill

    ReplyDelete
  52. Oh my goodness Vee! It is certainly true, just how fast life can change on a dime, with just one phone call. I too always pray when I hear or see emergency vehicles, someone is in need of prayer, whether I ever know them or not. I'm so thankful that your DIL's injury is one that can be fixed, although the healing process will no doubt take a long time, and make moving a very difficult event for her! So thankful for the family that are coming to help and be there for her, she will need lots of help! Please do keep us posted on how they are doing. So thankful that in the big picture they were protected by the hand of the Lord, and that it wasn't any worse!

    ReplyDelete
  53. This was such a shock for you and the family. Thank the Lord things were not worse and that they all will eventually be back in good shape soon hopefully. Poor Michelle will be out of commission for a while perhaps with an arm injury but I know all will rally around and assist with every needs.
    God bless them all -

    ReplyDelete
  54. Oh! my I'm so sorry this happened! Like you if I am out and about, and hear or see an Emergency vehicle,I pray! How wonderful that your loved ones will be okay! Isn't it amazing how children look at life, what a shame we adults seem to lose that innocence!
    I am sorry I haven't been around much lately in blogland, I feel like I have neglected so many friends, especially you, the funny thing is, even though I am not visible, I seem to have my friends on my mind , and that is when I pray for them! I am so thankful that when Jesus was leaving to go back to heaven , that He sent the Holy Spirit here on earth to be with us, to remind us, teach us and lead us!
    I know this past year hasn't been easy for you, but you have endured, perservered and have come out victorious! All for God's glory!
    You remain in my thoughts and prayers!
    Love,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  55. Oh, you goodness! Praise God and thank you, Jesus, for his tender mercies! I always pray for the ones involved when I hear or see Emergency vehicles but thankfully have not experienced what you just went through! Yes, the wagons circled and pulled in tight! You are amazing in all you have gone through this past year and on most days I believe you still know your name! Praying for a calm and peaceful season in life for you this fall.....

    ReplyDelete
  56. Oh dear, Vee! I am coming here very late...catching up on my favorite blogs. I'm so thankful that your family is okay...though I am sure Michelle will be suffering for some time. Yikes. Life can change in a split second! What a good reminder again to 'pray without ceasing'. Hugs to you!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Oh, VEE!!!!!

    Oh, my word - wow - oh my goodness, sweet friend, how scary.

    Thank GOD ABOVE no one was truly seriously injured.

    I am so so sorry I have been away so long - only to return and learn these scary things. I am sending up prayers for full recovery now! Love and hugs. ♥♥♥

    ReplyDelete
  58. I'm so very thankful that things weren't any worse for your DIL and grand! Hopefully they are well on the road to full recovery, and can enjoy what's left of summer. I don't comment much, but I do think of you so often and pray all is (mostly) well with you. {{hugs}}

    Leah in Iowa

    ReplyDelete
  59. Prayers for Michelle's continuing recovery.

    ReplyDelete
  60. I have been enjoying summer, albeit with breaking or dislocating a toe, cutting through a finger and fingernail with a chef's knife, that I haven't been posting nor visiting my friends often enough. I was so sorry to read in your latest post about your SIL and grandson. Thank Heaven they are okay and they she will continue to recover with no residual issues. Prayers thing will go smoothly for them going forward...and, of course, for you as well, Vee.

    ReplyDelete