I'm glad I am still here.

 

Some days I take so much for granted. Walking into my home this afternoon, kissing my husband, talking with my children, and just breathing the crisp fall air.

This morning on my way to work, I had a rude awakening, (not that I was asleep) but an awakening of how grateful I am for my life.  In a split second that life could be taken away and the air bag exploding into my chest is still echoing in my ears. I was almost to Pepperidge Farm, when for just one hundredth of a second I saw a flash in the right side of my car, saw an image of a leaping deer and WHAM an explosion in my chest, and a jolt to my body. I was on cruise at 65 miles per hour and don't ask me how my car miraculously stopped on the side of the road without hitting another vehicle, having some vehicle hit me from behind, or with out hitting some other stationary object. But it did. As I sat there in shock,( I am guessing) trying to decide what to do next I called 911 after finding my phone, plugging it in, (because it was not charged because I had left it in the car from the night before.) and telling the dispatcher what had happened. I then called Mac because I knew Ryan would still be playing basketball and would never hear my phone call. I awoke Mac from his sleep I am sure, but I knew he would tell me what I needed to do and would come and pick me up. My car was not drivable and  my mind kept telling me I needed to get to work. I had a pain in my chest and a pain in my hip, (from the airbag and the seat belt.) but that was about it. No burns to my face, no bloody nose, just a few tears running down my cheeks. As I waited for the police officer to show up I noticed that he was coming and then I noticed that he didn't come to me but to a car that was parked a ways in front of me. As I watched him get out and go to the vehicle I had the thought, " I wonder if I am watching myself and he really is approaching me in that car," so I started pinching myself, and yes, I was still sitting in my own car.  I thought about calling the dispatcher again and telling them they went to the wrong car, but then Jessica and Mac showed up and I knew I was in the living, I could feel their hugs, talk to them and feel their love for me. Jessica went to the other vehicle and came back and said that this person had also hit a deer and that in the last hour they had 3 deer fatalities in the same stretch of road.  I was mad at the stupid deer for leaping in front of me, out of the dark, and mad that I hat wrecked my brand new car. Yes, It was my new Tuscon. that I had just drove off the lot in May. But, after contemplating the events of the day I found myself grateful that I am still here. What is a car? Nothing really, but material stuff! So, I am now thanking Him above for the blessings of this day. That I can breathe the air, feel the kisses and hugs, and talk to my children and grandchildren. I was protected. I know that now,

and I am grateful.