Friday, May 23, 2008

We are blessed

If we weren't certain before, there is no question anymore....we are truly blessed. On Tuesday the girls and I were in a bad car accident. Our vehicle was totaled. And the girls are completely without physical injury. I have head to toe soreness and minor injuries to my right leg and left shoulder, but nothing serious. I'm just gimpy.

We had just left daycare and were on a 55mph highway. There was a lot of oncoming traffic and I was at a full stop waiting to turn left. A car rear ended us at highway speed without ever touching their breaks.

Our back window shattered, the frame was bent, the back end was pushed into the rear tires, the roof and sides were buckled. My driver's seat was twisted and bent back from the force. There was a chair in the back (our time out chair...and one that I use in a lot of senior portrait shoots) and it flew up and ripped two big holes in the headliner and actually made a big dent on the outside of the roof.

When I went back yesterday to clear out my personal items and take photographs, I found glass on the girls' toys which were on the floor in front of them. The garage door opener, which is normally up on the visor, was underneath Amelia's car seat. There were cd's out of their cases and laying in the back seat. Chris had a hand held jig saw in the back, too....with an exposed blade. The thought that it could have hit the girls makes me sick.

Libby keeps saying that Rainey and Grace were there and kept the glass from getting on them. I believe her.

Making this situation even worse, Chris was out of state. He did not get back until late last night... so I've been dealing with the horrible emotional aftermath it's had on the girls and on me, the physical pain, the flashbacks, the Emergency Room, the logistics of insurance, police, etc.... without him. It's been a very rough week and now that he's back I feel horrible--I suppose it's complete and utter physical and emotional exhaustion and burn-out. The last two days it's really set in and I've been feeling very traumatized and depressed. I feel like a sissy for it.

Yesterday I brought home a new car. The bummer is that in any other situation I'd be jumping out of my skin with excitement about it. It is a 2008 Ford Edge Limited.....a VERY nice car.... but I just can't get excited. it's just a reminder of why I had to get one and I really did love my yellow 2003 Vue, 'The Hornet'. I picked the Edge because it has a 5 star collision rated and 4 star rollover rated. Yep, it has every bell and whistle imaginable, but I could not care less about that. I just wanted the safest tank of a vehicle there is. I love the car, don't get me wrong, I'm just not all giddy about it.

We are incredibly blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. I could not have done this without them. My mother has been an incredible help with me getting insurance/car/etc taken care of...and offering support. Thanks, Mom. You have been exactly what I have needed.

Tina, Katherine, Norah....thank you. We love you and you are family to us. Seeing Tina walk up right after the accident was the most comforting feeling in the world. Thank you ladies for taking us to the hospital, feeding us, holding us, entertaining us, and loving us. ...and for letting me drive Audrey the Jeep. She's a smokin' hot ride. I still can't figure out why you didn't let me drive the Land Rover, though...I mean it's not like I've had bad luck with cars lately or anything.....

Some photos I took at the salvage yard yesterday...









5 comments:

Amy Hall Photography said...

Wow so glad you and the girls are ok physically. I am sure it will be a while to get over it emotionaly. How scarey and it really puts things into perspective. Been thinking of you! And yes your Angels were watching over you!!

Heidi said...

How lucky you all were... and I got chills when you said the twins were watching over your children. That saying "Don't drive faster than your Angels can fly" is so true! Hugs to you all...

Kim said...

Hi Reb..
I saw the photos on ILP and wanted to stop by to send some well wishes and {{HUGS}}.
I am so happy that you are all OK, and I hope that this weekend you can all spend lots of time relaxing and healing.
Kimberley {From ILP}

Anonymous said...

I'm glad your family is okay. How horrible. I hope your precious angels don't have to work that hard again. Your girls are lucky to have them watching over you.

Penelope said...

Wow, what an experience! I'm so glad you're all okay!