Late last week, Faith and I had a little accident in the Hyundai. We were going north on Washington, which is a very busy street especially around 5:00 p.m. I was trying to get to Avenue C and then make a left in order to get home but we only made it as far as Avenue B.
We had just gotten done with Faith's physical therapy appointment and getting her hair cut. It was after five and I knew Michelle (respite care) was due to be at our home at 5:30. I was in a bit of a hurry and then I got distracted by a pedestrian who was trying to decide where to cross the street. I watched him for a bit then when I looked back in front of me all I saw were bright red brake lights. I hit the brakes but it was too late. CRASH! Right away I looked back at Faith and she had a look of surprise on her face. I asked her if she was OK and she said she was. I was so thankful that instead of being buckled in a regular carseat, she was buckled into her adaptable carseat that offered her extra support. (We were able to make the purchase thanks to the Great American Bike Race).
I followed the van I had just hit around the block and we found a place to park. We both got out of the vehicle and he sort of had a half-smile on his face. I was so relieved he wasn't mad. It was a company van, a 2008 Ford, and the only damage he received was a little scratch on the hitch. Then I looked at the front of my car. My poor little Hyundai. The right bumper was a mess. Easily $2,000 damage. The guy looked at me and said, "well that's why we have insurance." He made the call to the police, we talked a bit then got in our vehicles and waited. I explained to Faith that mommy had a little accident. She sort of tensed up at the word accident so I quickly explained that everything was okay and that we just had to wait a little bit for the policeman. She asked, "what's a policeman?" I told her he was someone who helped people and he made sure people followed all of the rules.
While waiting, Faith repeatedly told me she wanted to go home and I wondered how Rob was doing. I knew he would be worried. I did not have a cell phone so I couldn't call him. Meanwhile, at home Michelle has arrived and Rob told her he was convinced we got into some sort of accident and that all he could think about was Faith crying in the backseat. He even called Julie (our hairdresser) to ask what time we had left her shop.
Finally, the policeman arrived and took a report from me and the other driver, got all of our information and then proceeded to give me a ticket for following too closely behind. It seemed like he felt bad for giving it to me, like he said, that's how everyone in Bismarck drives." I didn't care about a ticket, I was just thankful my daughter was handling everything so well.
While we waited for the policeman to write everything up, the song, "Praise You in the Storm" by Casting Crowns came on. As I listened to the words, I looked back at Faith and said, "Let's thank the Lord that we are both all right. I then began to thank Him that we had hit such a nice driver, that there was no damage to the other vehicle, that the policeman was so nice, etc. It was amazing to me that I felt such peace in that situation. At one time I would have been so angry with myself, frustrated and on the verge of tears. But I was just so very thankful that Faith and I were both okay and nothing else really mattered.
Finally, we got on our way and made it home. Michelle came out to meet us and she said, "Rob's convinced you to into some sort of accident." Then I showed her my bumper. When I did see Rob he gave us both a big hug, he was so relieved. I asked if he was mad about the car and he said, "No, of course not." He was also relieved to hear that Faith was fine through it all and we told her over and over how we were so proud of her for being such a big girl.
Another thing I am thankful for through this whole ordeal is that we have such a wonderful insurance agent, who is a friend of ours that also has a special-needs child. After giving her the accident information, my phone call gave us a chance to have a nice conversation about our daughters and that if we were ever feeling down that we could call one another anytime. What a huge blessing! Thank you Lord for your goodness, the peace you provide, and for continuing to take care of all of our needs.
We had just gotten done with Faith's physical therapy appointment and getting her hair cut. It was after five and I knew Michelle (respite care) was due to be at our home at 5:30. I was in a bit of a hurry and then I got distracted by a pedestrian who was trying to decide where to cross the street. I watched him for a bit then when I looked back in front of me all I saw were bright red brake lights. I hit the brakes but it was too late. CRASH! Right away I looked back at Faith and she had a look of surprise on her face. I asked her if she was OK and she said she was. I was so thankful that instead of being buckled in a regular carseat, she was buckled into her adaptable carseat that offered her extra support. (We were able to make the purchase thanks to the Great American Bike Race).
I followed the van I had just hit around the block and we found a place to park. We both got out of the vehicle and he sort of had a half-smile on his face. I was so relieved he wasn't mad. It was a company van, a 2008 Ford, and the only damage he received was a little scratch on the hitch. Then I looked at the front of my car. My poor little Hyundai. The right bumper was a mess. Easily $2,000 damage. The guy looked at me and said, "well that's why we have insurance." He made the call to the police, we talked a bit then got in our vehicles and waited. I explained to Faith that mommy had a little accident. She sort of tensed up at the word accident so I quickly explained that everything was okay and that we just had to wait a little bit for the policeman. She asked, "what's a policeman?" I told her he was someone who helped people and he made sure people followed all of the rules.
While waiting, Faith repeatedly told me she wanted to go home and I wondered how Rob was doing. I knew he would be worried. I did not have a cell phone so I couldn't call him. Meanwhile, at home Michelle has arrived and Rob told her he was convinced we got into some sort of accident and that all he could think about was Faith crying in the backseat. He even called Julie (our hairdresser) to ask what time we had left her shop.
Finally, the policeman arrived and took a report from me and the other driver, got all of our information and then proceeded to give me a ticket for following too closely behind. It seemed like he felt bad for giving it to me, like he said, that's how everyone in Bismarck drives." I didn't care about a ticket, I was just thankful my daughter was handling everything so well.
While we waited for the policeman to write everything up, the song, "Praise You in the Storm" by Casting Crowns came on. As I listened to the words, I looked back at Faith and said, "Let's thank the Lord that we are both all right. I then began to thank Him that we had hit such a nice driver, that there was no damage to the other vehicle, that the policeman was so nice, etc. It was amazing to me that I felt such peace in that situation. At one time I would have been so angry with myself, frustrated and on the verge of tears. But I was just so very thankful that Faith and I were both okay and nothing else really mattered.
Finally, we got on our way and made it home. Michelle came out to meet us and she said, "Rob's convinced you to into some sort of accident." Then I showed her my bumper. When I did see Rob he gave us both a big hug, he was so relieved. I asked if he was mad about the car and he said, "No, of course not." He was also relieved to hear that Faith was fine through it all and we told her over and over how we were so proud of her for being such a big girl.
Another thing I am thankful for through this whole ordeal is that we have such a wonderful insurance agent, who is a friend of ours that also has a special-needs child. After giving her the accident information, my phone call gave us a chance to have a nice conversation about our daughters and that if we were ever feeling down that we could call one another anytime. What a huge blessing! Thank you Lord for your goodness, the peace you provide, and for continuing to take care of all of our needs.
Thank goodness you are both fine. That car can be replaced; you both can't!
ReplyDeletePattie - thanks! Yes, in the end that's all that really matters!
ReplyDelete