01-09-09......the day my perspective changed.

2 years ago today, (1-9-09), God literally saved our lives.

Some of us could have died that day.

You might remember that was the day I T-boned an SUV that ran a red light. I was driving about 55 MPH & I never saw him.

BUT….had the timing been milliseconds different, WE would have been T-boned-right where Natty was sitting.

Thank the Lord, the kids were all fine except for Ruth biting her tongue & Natty chipping a tooth. Ana also was pretty sore from her seatbelt.

I, being the driver, of course, tangled w/ the airbag & did get a pretty severe burn on my wrist from it. I had the wind knocked out of me. Ana had to call 911, & at age 7, was able to tell the operator where we were located.

The small scar you see in the above picture is something I’m thankful for. At first, I tried to minimize the scar……then I decided to use it as a daily reminder of God’s grace. Each time I look at it, I am reminded that:
1. God chose to spare our lives.
2. He also spared us major injury.
3. He DAILY protects us-not just then!
4. I am reminded that each moment is a gift-& we have no guarantee we will live to see tomorrow.

Now, to be totally honest, there are a few other lingering effects as well. I still don’t like that intersection (& God must have a sense of humor, since I have to drive through it more than twice a week! Ha!) I especially avoid flying through it at 55 MPH, & I really feel claustrophobic driving in the right lane through it. I also notice that I still naturally grip the steering wheel w/ two hands as I approach it & drive through!

I also am still jumpy on the highway when there’s lots of traffic & someone else is driving (in other words-someone who’s driving I can’t control).

Thankfully, the kids have returned to normal-but it took a while. Ruth cried/fussed in the car for months before she got over it. Ana kept all her fears inside-bottled up to deal w/ on her own. Poor girl. I week or so later, we started having daily times of drawing pictures of the accident & writing out her feelings about it. That helped-she cried many tears then & got many emotions out in the open.

All in all, we have much to be thankful for…..& we are doing much better.
But, in our house, the date 01-09-09 shall “live in infamy.”