I have had a rough night. Quite possibly the worst night I've had in as long as I can remember. There was one other night that was this bad, but it was so long ago.
Shortly before 3:00 a.m., I was startled awake by Billy, my son's friend who lives here. He said "Miss Rachel, I need you to get up and come here. Earl was just in an accident." I can't tell you how much it truly sucks to hear those words. At that moment, I didn't know if my son was dead or alive or nearly dead or fine. I shouted, "Is he OK?" Billy responded, "He's right here, I'm taking him to the hospital." OK, so he's alive, but in need of medical attention. I can live with that. He's breathing. And then I saw him and nothing else mattered. I didn't care about the car or possibly cars that were damaged. I didn't care about anything, because I saw that boy's face, and although I could tell he was in pain, he didn't show any outward signs of real injury.
I thought to myself, well it can't be that bad. He looks fine. He's talking, walking, well limping, but he seems OK. And he is. He might have a torn muscle in his lower right leg, but we'll know more once he sees an orthopedic specialist later this week. I got a few details from him - black ice, spun out, ditch, guard rail, totaled - and sent him on his way to the ER with Billy. I planned to get dressed and follow shortly. I called my Dad and we decided to run up to the accident scene to take a look at the car.
I never should have done that. I can not begin to express the emotions that ran through me the minute I saw how much damage was done to that car. I got all hot and nauseated. I thought for sure I was going to vomit. Totaled really isn't the right word. Decimated is more like it. He drives - or drove - a 1996 Dodge Caravan. It was his purple pimp-mobile. He made driving a minivan look cool. Anyway, the van was facing the opposite way from which he had been traveling. He had hit the guard rail with the passenger side. The guard rail crumpled and pierced the sliding door and the front passenger seat was practically on the dash board. If Billy had been in the car with him, and he usually is, Billy would no longer be with us. Billy was following behind him in his own car. Oh and my smart son was NOT WEARING HIS SEATBELT and was ejected from the van, via the side window/door. And he's still breathing.
I am just so filled with emotions at the moment. I'm not angry at James. It was an accident and it could have happened just as easily at midnight as 3:00 a.m and to anyone. Black ice doesn't care about what time it is or who's driving. I am grateful that God was looking out for him last night and I am so very thankful that I he is relatively OK. He will probably be sore for a few days and might have some problems with his leg, but it could have been so much worse. So very much worse. The Maryland State Trooper who was at the scene had no idea how he survived. I do. God was looking out for him, and for me.
Maryland law requires you to be in control of your vehicle at all times, so he was issued a citation for negligent driving. The Trooper said he didn't think it was anything to worry about and even jokingly (I think) said he might be sick on Court day. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. I am not worried about a citation and fine, anyway at the moment. I am just going to enjoy every minute of every day that I get with my son.
Shortly before 3:00 a.m., I was startled awake by Billy, my son's friend who lives here. He said "Miss Rachel, I need you to get up and come here. Earl was just in an accident." I can't tell you how much it truly sucks to hear those words. At that moment, I didn't know if my son was dead or alive or nearly dead or fine. I shouted, "Is he OK?" Billy responded, "He's right here, I'm taking him to the hospital." OK, so he's alive, but in need of medical attention. I can live with that. He's breathing. And then I saw him and nothing else mattered. I didn't care about the car or possibly cars that were damaged. I didn't care about anything, because I saw that boy's face, and although I could tell he was in pain, he didn't show any outward signs of real injury.
I thought to myself, well it can't be that bad. He looks fine. He's talking, walking, well limping, but he seems OK. And he is. He might have a torn muscle in his lower right leg, but we'll know more once he sees an orthopedic specialist later this week. I got a few details from him - black ice, spun out, ditch, guard rail, totaled - and sent him on his way to the ER with Billy. I planned to get dressed and follow shortly. I called my Dad and we decided to run up to the accident scene to take a look at the car.
I never should have done that. I can not begin to express the emotions that ran through me the minute I saw how much damage was done to that car. I got all hot and nauseated. I thought for sure I was going to vomit. Totaled really isn't the right word. Decimated is more like it. He drives - or drove - a 1996 Dodge Caravan. It was his purple pimp-mobile. He made driving a minivan look cool. Anyway, the van was facing the opposite way from which he had been traveling. He had hit the guard rail with the passenger side. The guard rail crumpled and pierced the sliding door and the front passenger seat was practically on the dash board. If Billy had been in the car with him, and he usually is, Billy would no longer be with us. Billy was following behind him in his own car. Oh and my smart son was NOT WEARING HIS SEATBELT and was ejected from the van, via the side window/door. And he's still breathing.
I am just so filled with emotions at the moment. I'm not angry at James. It was an accident and it could have happened just as easily at midnight as 3:00 a.m and to anyone. Black ice doesn't care about what time it is or who's driving. I am grateful that God was looking out for him last night and I am so very thankful that I he is relatively OK. He will probably be sore for a few days and might have some problems with his leg, but it could have been so much worse. So very much worse. The Maryland State Trooper who was at the scene had no idea how he survived. I do. God was looking out for him, and for me.
Maryland law requires you to be in control of your vehicle at all times, so he was issued a citation for negligent driving. The Trooper said he didn't think it was anything to worry about and even jokingly (I think) said he might be sick on Court day. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. I am not worried about a citation and fine, anyway at the moment. I am just going to enjoy every minute of every day that I get with my son.
3 comments:
Rachel, glad to hear that James is relativly ok. Hug and love him, as I know you will. Give Jim a swift kick later for the seatbelt.
Hugs to you
Melissa coffeemomof2
I'm so glad he's not seriously hurt! How scary.
Oh my gosh Rachel! I'm so glad he's ok! God truely was looking out for him in that moment! I've had a moment before where my youngest could have died and it rips you apart thinking of the what ifs and how insanely greatful you are that they've got a guardian angel.
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