Yesterday began like every other day. That’s the funny thing about life. We wake up. We start our routine. We head out to work and school, but we really have no idea what will come of the day.
My husband had already left. The boys and I hustled to get out the door. We’ve been running late these days, so I made an effort to get out of the house 10 minutes earlier than usual. We sang Christmas carols on the way to school. The boys ate snacks in the car. I drank my coffee.
I dropped off our kindergartner at his elementary school, kissing him on the head before he walked in the door, faithful I would see him in the car line at 3:00pm. I passed my good friend in her car as I pulled out and she pulled in. We both smiled and waved.
My two-year old and I headed down the road toward his preschool. We listened to Chipmunks Christmas and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. We headed into downtown Waynesville.
So far. The morning was a mirror image of every other morning. So far.
As we neared his school, I changed the song to Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Jackson Five. He and I were both singing. We were 1/4 a mile from his school.
This is when the morning changed.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a lady edge pass a stop sign and literally in an instant, my boy and I went from singing to spinning and flipping.
As I lay upside down in the car, strapped in my seat belt, Michael Jackson continued to belt out his lyrics.
Then after what felt like an eternity, I heard a little voice behind me say, “Mama?”
Mommy Bear then kicked in. I had to perform acts of yoga to wriggle out of my seat belt and crawl through orange juice and coffee to get to him. He was hanging upside down in his car seat, eyes wide, but no tears.
“It’s okay, baby.” I said.
“I never want to do that again,” he said.
It didn’t make sense to crawl back to the front door that had burst open on impact, so he and I climbed out the back windshield which had shattered. He crawled into the arms of a complete stranger. I was so thankful at that moment that she was standing there. I crawled out after him and took him back in my arms.
The first thing I did was look for the lady in the other vehicle. She was standing near her minivan. She looked okay. She apologized with sincere sadness in her eyes. She had a child in her car as well.
Sirens sounded instantly. I turned around, not sure what to do. And that’s when I saw a familiar face. A friend of ours stood there, having seen the accident after leaving a nearby coffee shop. He ran to me and asked if we were okay. He hugged us. I really needed that hug. Then he called to tell my husband because my hands were shaking too badly to call myself.
They shuttled us into an emergency vehicle to keep us warm and check for injuries. That’s when I saw the next familiar face. Case’s preschool director came running to the car. He and I were both happy to see her. When she put her arms around me, I let go. The tears came, but I held it together for Case. Children don’t like seeing their parents cry.
Then my husband arrived on scene, very relieved to see us in one piece.
From that point on, the day went by in a flurry. Emergency personnel, hospital, junkyard, insurance agent, soreness, questions from our five-year old. I’m so thankful for my husband who took care of all of the annoying, complicated stuff so I could continue processing what had happened and snuggle with the boys.
As the day went on and the accident sunk it, I kept looking at the pictures wondering how we walked away unscathed. The only answer is that it was a miracle. The impact was directly on Case’s car door, yet within the hour, he was giggling and asking to go to school.
Miracles do happen. I’m not sure why were saved yesterday, but I will forever be grateful. I will also be grateful for small towns where I can climb out of my broken car and immediately see two kind, familiar faces. I’m grateful for efficient emergency workers who were truly concerned about us and cheered up my scared boy with a teddy bear. I’m grateful to have been in a Subaru, a strong, well-made car that kept my boy and me safe from harm. I’m grateful for friends and family who called and texted the entire day to make sure we were okay and to ask if we needed anything.
Though I feel shaken, I feel so blessed.
Please think of and pray for the other lady in the accident. I’ve thought about her a lot.
The soreness will fade. The car will be forgotten, but the lessons learned from yesterday will forever be remembered. Never take anything for granted because it can all change in the blink of an eye.
I am so glad you are OK. So scary. It is a miracle.
Thank you very much!
Oh Susanna,
I am so glad you are okay, were able to reflect and share your story with us. What a terrifying experience and SUCH a miracle!
It truly was a miracle. Thank you!
I’m so glad you and Case are ok. Such a scary experience. Thankful God was protecting you.
Me too! Feeling very blessed today.
Oh my goodness, this made me cry. So, so happy you are both Ok. And so scary. Hang in there and thank goodness for a community.
Me too! And yes, so very scary. I so appreciate my community. I love where I live.
Susanna, so thankful you both are well though traumatized. I hope you will share you “miracle” story with the Mountaineer, as Vicki has been asking for “miracle” stories. This certainly qualifies! Will be so glad to be able to give you a real hug when next I see you. For now, a cyber hug will have to do. Love and warm wishes for a quiet, joyful holiday season.
I am looking forward to that hug, Ginger! And yes, I will send this to Vicki. It was certainly a miracle in my eyes.
Nikol posted this on her page and I recognized the church behind you… we’re in the same town! How crazy is that? So glad you’re okay!
Oh my goodness! That’s crazy. I would love to see you one day soon.
Praise The Lord, tears are flowing, y’all had your guardian angels. Hugs to you and your family.
Thank you! And thank you for the hugs.
Definitely your guardian angel was on duty! So happy you are both OK. Your Christmas present came early thanks to another miracle. <3
Exactly! Thank you.
Susanna,
I am so glad that you are both Ok! God is great!
So true! I know you understand.
wow. so glad you guys are ok. for sure that.
Thanks so much! Me too.
Susanna. I am crying.
God is good. I’m so glad this turned out the way it did. Those pictures make me quiver.
Sending lots of love your way today.
Thank you so much, Julie! It was certainly a terrifying day, but we are all okay. Feeling very grateful.
Susanna, the girls and I were reading this and are so thankful you are both okay. That is truly a Christmas miracle. God is good!
I agree! Love you all.
So glad you and your little guy are ok. There are times when we reflect back on situations thinking, “What if….”. It could have been so different if just this, or just that. Transcending these thoughts allow us to continue to live our lives in gratitude of the now. Thanks to you for sharing your experience, now we can all use it to reflect on our own gratitude for what is right now. Knowing you all the best for you and your family.
Thank you!
So thankful you are safe and angels all around surrounded you with love. I truly truly appreciate your kindness and love in thinking of the other woman and asking all to hold her in their positive thoughts. SHE could have easily been one of us. Easily. The guilt and horror of it all that weighs on her. Thank you for your kindness towards her. Blessings to you and yours. Lisa
Thank you so much, Lisa. And I agree with you. Prayers for all of us involved.
Oh my lord! So glad you are ok. How scary to think of, especially with the little one in the car. Speedy recovery on all fronts!
Oh my gosh! It truly is a miracle that you and your son weren’t hurt. Wow, if I saw a car upside down like that I never would think that the people just walked out of it okay. So truly glad you did!
Me too! Very scary, but we are both okay.
So thankful you and Chase are okay – God is Good!!