A Close Call

This past weekend something very scary happened to one of my best friends.......to someone who has always given me(us) unwavering/unconditional support & love.......to my biggest cheerleader........to my hero

My Mom was in a horrific automobile accident on her way to a family shower in Burlington, Iowa involving 2 other vehicles. She was traveling Northbound at 55 mph in the right hand lane of a 4 way highway. A truck entered the road right in front of both lanes, causing both my Mom and the car in the left lane to collide head-on with it. The truck failed to stop at the stop sign or even look before proceeding into traffic. We know that he suffered extensive injuries and was life flighted to the nearest trauma hospital in the area. My Mom's car hit near his drivers' side and the impact forced her across the left lane of that side, across the median and through BOTH lanes of oncoming traffic on the opposite side of the road, before she smashed into a deep culvert on the other side. Every single airbag deployed in her vehicle and the reinforced metal held...........

Dazed, battered, bruised and frightened, my Mom stumbled from her vehicle and crept a safe distance from the car. Her fear was that the car would burst into flames. She walked away from that accident on her own two feet...................not without injuries, but she walked away.

While she waited for assistance two woman stopped to offer comfort. One young woman in particular was incredibly supportive. She took the shoes off of my Mom's feet and propped up the leg that was already starting to swell. She retrieved my Mom's purse & car keys from the battered car. Most significantly she sat there with my Mom for a very long time while help was summoned. She sat with my Mom so that she wouldn't be alone during what must have been a terrifying time. While they waited my Mom learned that this stranger had originally been on her way to decorate the grave of her own Mother, whom she had lost.( Deep breath..........)

My Mom was taken to the local hospital and scanned, x-ray ed, checked and rechecked. Miraculously she was released with no major injuries. Scrapes, bruising, contact burns, emotional distress yes...........but NO major injuries, no broken bones.

Our phone rang at just past 8 p.m. Sunday night; we knew immediately a phone call from home past 7 would not be good news. We were still unprepared for this news. My Mom said she delayed calling a bit so that we could get our kiddos down.........she didn't want to disturb our routine. That's just so my Mom........thinking of others during her own terrible ordeal. She recounted the accident as best she could. She humorously added that they are done with Red Camry's for now. She told me that I almost lost my Mom today, but that it must not have been her time. I know the Lord must protect so many, all of the time.............I know HE called home many people on that very day..........but it was not my Mom's time. Selfishly I thank him for sparing her. Her work must still be on this earth. How lucky we are!

The air bags deployed......the reinforced steel protected its precious cargo..........but it was HIS grace that protected her across four lanes of highway traffic and allowed her to walk from the car largely in tact. I know not every family is as fortunate; we still do not know the status of the gentleman driving the truck or the family in the lane next to my Mom. All we can do is pray.

And I know I will never be able to properly thank the young women who came to her aid, but maybe I can follow their example and be more giving.......more selfless.......there truly are angels walking among us..........I know, cuz my Mom met 2 this past Sunday.

And Mom, when you do eventually read this; when you feel well enough again to do so, please know that we rejoice in this miracle. We are so grateful for whatever time we all have together & will never ever take a moment for granted. And Mom.......we love you very very much!

P.S. Please don't be mad....I know you never like your own pictures, but you are beautiful and I need to work through this and share you with my blog community. Its therapy, ya know! You are an amazing Mom and an even more incredible Mimi to our babies!!