LUCKY

WOW. 

Tonight is one of those nights that you are humbled to be alive. That you are grateful for all that you have. That you wish some things you may have said or done could be brought back. 

 

I was on my way home from HandStands (grateful to be employed) in my beautiful 1996 Subaru Legacy Outback (grateful for a car), actually on the phone with the car insurance company renewing my insurance (grateful for conveniences like that) and had the unsettling feeling to get off the phone and pay attention to the road. Just as i came over the slight hill on Interstate 15 at about 114th south in Sandy, I saw nothing but brake lights, and suddenly there were fenders and glass flying no farther than 2 cars in front of me. 

Skreech.

Cuss Words.

Someone had to have gotten hurt. 

No fewer than 5 cars I am sure. And here I am, right at the tail end of it. Staring. Stunned, while my hazard lights click on and off showing those behind me that I am moving nowhere. 

I saw a Chevy Silverado go airborne. I saw a car mangled to no recognition. 

 

I also saw witnesses immediately exit their vehicles–one whom was an officer in an unmarked police car.  Another directed Traffic—4 or 5 quickly cared to those involved. The Siverado “pilot” was quick to the aid of the person who launched him into flight. 

Stunned. 

And today was the day that I told myself I was going to drive home slowly–nothing to be at. 

In an effort to not make a bad situation crowded, I decided to move along. I honestly don’t think I could have helped more than having my hazards on to slow people behind me.

I just watched the news to find that the man who was in the car smashed beyond recognition had passed away.

 

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=6222078

I really wish the outcome were different. Cars can be replaced. Limbs, lungs, and especially lives can’t.

 

Grateful to be alive. Very Grateful to not be involved. My heart aches for, and I pray for the people involved and their families. 

 

So that is twice in the past 6 months that I dare say I have dodged a bullet (and I am not talking about the clogged arteries and increasing blood pressure). During Thanksgiving I was almost swallowed by what I thought was an Ocean with a vengeance after doing some cliff jumping in Hawaii. Almost worth the risk if you could meet the beautiful girl i was jumping with! Such a simple thing as jumping in water and climbing out totally changed when the tide decided to change and throw me up against the rocks.  

 

Such a simple thing as driving home changed suddenly for a few people tonight when someone slammed on their brakes. 

 

Reminds me that I should really not be tailing any cars (EVERYONE–HINT HINT). Or jumping into any Oceans. There go my dreams of living in Los Angeles [not really a dream, just emphasizing bumper to bumper tailing at 65 mph is not smart (I HATE the Lakers--GO JAZZ!!)] or being on “Deadliest Catch”.

 

Let’s all be grateful, slow down a little bit, and enjoy the drive tomorrow. And stay away from the angry water.