Ahhh... where to even begin? Brace yourselves, this could be a long one!
I apologize in advance.
So ya, this happened yesterday. I'm the grey car in the foreground with the obliterated right passenger side. The truck off to the left that's giving that 100 year old spruce a big ol' smooch caused such damage to my car.
First thing: I'm ok (despite the pain growing in my left neck and shoulder, but I'm getting that all "seen to" as my mother in law would say).
Second thing: Pretty sure that having a pickup barreling toward you at double your speed is one of the scariest things that has ever happened to me.
Here's the breakdown:
I was coming home from work, shortly after 4pm. I turned onto my street, going about 30km/hr. I saw the pickup approaching me in the other lane, driving normally. When he was about 50 m from me, he accelerated and swerved directly toward me. The roads were dry and it was a clear day so I was very baffled by what was happening. I managed to get out of the way a little bit but he was driving so fast (and showed no effort to slow down) that he plowed right through the right passenger side of my car and scraped all down the side. He carried on by me, smoked a fire hydrant (haha.. I made a pun), which landed in the neighbours front lawn and firmly planted himself into a spruce tree that was clearly not going anyway.
So that's the facts of accident. Other points of interest are as follows:
- he had no idea what happened (the fellow who hit me)
- he was jumpy, twitchy and made me very nervous
- after about 5 minutes, he decided to run
- and this accident just became a hit and run
- our first responders are amazing
- my husband is amazing
- my dog is exactly the same because she has no idea what happened (which I just love)
- my neck is really sore
- and lastly, I have some sweet bruises developing right on top of my hip bones
Anyway, this blog post is not to discuss the details of the accident.
This blog post is me waxing poetic about being able to move my toes and fingers and that I can still feel a cold wind on my face and that I can walk.
I am now 'sans car' (clearly), so this means coordinating drop-offs and pick-ups with the husband and maybe even walking a few places.
My bosses sent me home around noon and because Tyler was working two hours northeast of town today, I was left to walk home. No biggie really. I work downtown and we live downtown, so it was a 20 minute walk, tops. The fresh air felt so good.
When I got home from work, I called my massage therapist's office and booked the only 1/2 hour slot left for today. Which meant another walk, but for real I didn't even care. When I left the house for my massage appointment and started 25 minute journey there, I was suddenly overcome with this profound gratefulness that I had the full ability to move my knees, wiggle my toes, feel sunshine on my face and my feet knew to take one step after another.
If I had been driving a tad bit faster or left even 30 seconds sooner from work, it could have been a completely different story.
So today I dedicate this blog post to wiggling toes.
I dedicate it to sparkly eyes, rosy cheeks and a cold nose.
I dedicate it to the sand and grit I felt swirling around me every time a city bus roared by.
I dedicate it to the slightly wet feet I had (dang you, canvas boots!) due to puddles of melty snow on my walk.
I dedicate this to strides. Big full walking strides.
And I'll take a minute to dedicate a small portion of this blog post to my amazing chiro/massage office who took excellent care of me today, gave me ice packs for my neck and sent me home with the right insurance paperwork to get started on making an injury claim. You all rock, every single one of you.
I'm not in the hospital. I'm not paralyzed. I don't even have a scratch or cut.
So this is me just counting my blessings and being thankful for everything that my senses can take in. The roar of the bus, a gust of wind with dust, a cold wind and sore feet.
Even my sore neck, stiff lower back and limited mobility in looking to the left. At least I can feel these things.
Also, the sun on my face, a pumping heart, a loving family and springtime.
Good and bad stuff.
But that's ok. I'll take it. I'll take it all in spades.
Much love and gratefulness,
Jessica
