Day 20: Everything changes in an instant
Last week I was cruising along on a cold but sunny day, singing along to some song on the radio that I have since forgotten. I was thinking about how things in my life seemed to be taking a turn for the better. The sting of a recent breakup had faded, I was feeling healthy and fit, I was contemplating a crush that I have on a friend. As I was nearing my office, going to a job that I love, I turned a corner in the road, reached for my lovely hot cafe latte that I rarely stop to purchase on the way…when “Shit!”…a UPS truck was stopped in the road in front of me. I hit the brakes, started to slide, said “Shit!” again, closed my eyes…BAM!! I smelled the smoke and dust from the airbags before I even opened my eyes. My hand hurt, and I was confused…was the car on fire? I jumped out and went to the other driver. She was fine and laughed about how her UPS crew had just celebrated 100 accident-free days with a cake. I was near work…I called my boss…he sent in the cavalry…my friends and coworkers arrived to help me out…the police were called…my insurance man..the tow truck…it was all over almost as quickly as it began. My hand was not broken, but my back and neck took a good jolt despite the seatbelt. I can’t run or do yoga for a while, which keeps me sane, but I am getting good chiropractic and massage therapy…my car is being repaired…the incident popped the little bubble of joy that I was experiencing that morning…and hadn’t felt for a while. Yet, my problems seem small…woe is me. Yesterday four children were killed when a school bus was struck by a van…in a town not far from where I grew up. Four little people will no longer walk this beautiful earth, will never feel the sting of a breakup, will never sing while driving a car, will never have a crush on one of their friends, will never savor a good cup of coffee, will never go to a job they love or view a lunar eclipse. Everything changes in an instant.
Last 5 posts by urbanmerchick
- Day 19: Little people in Buenos Aires - February 19th, 2008
- Day 18: Little people on Easter Island - February 18th, 2008
- Day 17: Little people in Patagonia - February 17th, 2008
- Day 16: Mmmmm...pancakes - February 16th, 2008
- Day 15: The best advice I've ever received - February 16th, 2008