7.09.2013

Accidental Blessings

An event happened a week ago yesterday that is just now beginning to recede a bit in my mind. 

Our daughter was in a car accident in Virginia.  We live in Florida.  We were sixteen hours away from her.

My husband got the tearful call about 8:30 in the morning.  Our daughter was OK enough to call her dad and then text a close-by relative.  Upon rounding a highway curve, she found traffic stopped and hit the car in front of her.  She swerved to minimize the punch, but then spun around across the road and hit the guard rail on the other side.

I did not see a picture of the her car until the next day, and maybe it was better I didn't, because I know I would have been more scared and tearful than I already was. 

The totaled Nissan

I didn't talk to our daughter for a few hours after the accident, because she had to deal with the police, and then the ER.  My sister-in-law and her husband rushed to the crash site and filled in for us, hugging her and helping her and insisting she take the drugs the ER doc gave her.   She had no broken bones, just bruises and a seat belt mark on her neck.  When I look at the car pictures, I am still amazed and so grateful she did not have more injuries.

Front View

By the grace of God, I keep thinking.  Our daughter credits the Nissan Versa for saving her life.  She also credits her guardian angel, whom she calls Patient Steve.   

I finally talked to our girl, who assured me she was fine, just sore, but so "proud" of her car.  She was thankful there was no other traffic on the road.  So grateful she did not hurt anyone (the woman in the car she did hit was fine, and her car did not have nearly the damage the Nissan sustained.)

Our daughter was grateful there was a policeman just a few cars behind her.  She was so grateful her accident occurred in VA near family and not in Canada, or Pennsylvania, from where she had just traveled.  She was grateful she has insurance, grateful for the Vicodin that helped her through the next three days, grateful for her wonderful aunt and uncle who hovered over her with love and concern.

We are grateful for all of that too.

When my brother (the ex-clown who lives in Maryland) heard of the accident, he called to offer to drive to Virginia to get our girl.  I assured him she was with family, but we did need to get her home somehow.  He offered to bring her to South Carolina - we would each drive halfway.  I was so touched by this offer, tears welled in my eyes.  He happened to be on vacation last week and assured me he didn't mind the trip.  This was pure gift.

Forty-eight hours later, we got to hug our daughter at a Baymont Inn and see that she truly was in once piece.


I had that "you're never leaving my sight again" feeling, but luckily for her, it didn't last too long.  I know my children are just on loan to me for awhile...they ultimately belong to God, and He's in charge.

But, man, did I squeeze her.

Since we've been home, the blessings in this trauma have continued to pile up.  She found another car - a Nissan Versa - within three days.  She did not want another brand.  "The Versa saved my life," she reminded us more than once.   Her car insurance actually went down a bit, because this Versa is a few years newer than the old one.   Her car payment is similar, and it fits in the carport of new (for her) house.

Yesterday, she was checked out by and released from the follow-up doctor, and she's ready to move on.  School starts in a few weeks, and already she's tutoring a student in Chemistry.

What a difference a week makes.  A day.  An hour.  Life can change in a minute.  When my mind drifts to what could have been...my heart snaps back to what is.  There are no words to express the gratitude I have for my Virginia sister-in-law and her husband, for my brother, for safe travel to S.C., for no lasting injuries, for GEICO, for Nissan, for good doctors and kind policemen, for every positive detail of this incident.

When bad things happen, some people wonder why God didn't prevent the tragedy, why He "allowed" it.  I'm grateful I know God is good all the time, regardless of circumstances.  Heartache and suffering are part of this life, because people are fallible and insecure and sometimes very foolish.  It's the human condition.  God does promise He will never leave us, and if we trust Him, He will bring good from everything.  Everything.  He also promises that suffering is not the end of the story.

Our daughter said it best when she posted this on facebook a few days ago.






He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new.” Then he said, 
"Write this down, for these words are 
trustworthy and true."         Rev. 21:5










                                                         New Versa






28 comments:

Brenda said...

So thankful everything turned out for His glory, Mare. I can't imagine the worried feelings you experience. Is so nice to have the Lord to lean on throughout every trial, from start to finish. I like to call it freaky peace. When everything in me is trying to freak out, that calm is still there.

Mari said...

So thankful she was not seriously injured! I've been through this with my daughter but at least she was near to home when it happened. I can't imagine not being able to see her with your own eyes. Isn't it wonderful how God worked it all out?

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

Thankfully your daughter is ok and all is turning out so well. Accidents happen to us all. I was in one two years ago and it took me a while before I was able to drive again. I'm glad she jumped right back behind the wheel.

Retired Knitter said...

I got a call like that once. It can stop your heart from beating!

My daughter was cut off in a rainstorm driving a brand new company van, swerved to avoid hitting the offender, spun out spinning across oncoming (opposite lane) rush hour traffic on busy Route 1 in College Park Maryland, traveled uncontrolled up onto a side walk filled with people and plowed head on into a tree.

The seat belt and air bags never deployed even though the van was new. No one - including my daughter - was hurt. There was a cop standing on the street corner that saw the whole thing so the cause of the accident was easily determined.

I consider the whole incident a miracle - and a total act of God that no one was hurt or died on that day. When people say why doesn't God prevent bad things from happening - I say "He does. You just aren't paying attention."

Blessings to you and your daughter.

Joyce said...

I'm so glad your daughter was not seriously injured. I can relate too well, as my oldest had an accident while in university in SC. We got the hysterical call on a sunny afternoon in England.

Just reading this takes me back to the way my heart literally stopped until she got the words out that no one was injured. I too had a sister and brother in law within driving distance who went to the scene. It really is in those moments our trust is called into question. I had to ask myself if I really truly trust God in the care of my children. His children : )

Michael Ann said...

This post brought tears to my eyes. Just... all the love that came pouring out over your daughter and your family, got to my heart. I'm so glad she is ok and I love the theme of gratefulness that surfaces from this difficult time. You guys are awesome.

Memories of yesterday said...

SO glad she is okay and safe! ((hugs)) to the mama heart.

Michelle said...

Oh, wow! So many blessings from this near tragedy. God is good.

Kenya G. Johnson said...

I read this earlier this morning then fell back to sleep and then your blog post played over in my mind like a dream and it was a peaceful dream - not horror. I love your conclusion that He promises that suffering is not the end of the story and the scripture that your daughter put on FB. Awesome! Thank you for sharing that story.

Elizabeth said...

I'm so thankful the Lord protected your daughter. It could have been so much worse - but it wasn't. God is indeed good.

Creations By Cindy said...

Praising the Lord that all is well. The Lord had a hedge of protection around her that day for a reason there is no doubt. She isn't LUCKY...she is BLESSED. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Paula said...

You must have been terrified. I am glad she is okay!

Rita said...

I find times like those to be the ones where I am most overwhelmingly filled with gratitude, too. I love that her guardian angel is called Patient Steve!! so much better than my "G.A". LOL! So glad she is okay. Her angel was watching over her. :)

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Hearing that a loved one has been in an accident is scary, I know how I felt when I heard my sister had rolled her car it was a number of years back that it happened but I can still remember how I felt when I heard that news............her car was a right off.

I am pleased your daugher is fine and came through the accident ok.

Seeing the car being so smashed up would be distressing

Farida said...

God really works in mysterious ways! It was an accident after all and despite the huge damage on the car; she's doing well :)My mom would be frantically worried too if that happened to me..

Danielle L Zecher said...

I'm so glad your daughter is alright and that everything seems to be working out so well. Car accidents are so scary!

Dana said...

I'm so glad your daughter is okay. God is good, there's no doubt about that. Hugs for you.

momto8 said...

we have had 11 cars totaled by our kids. I know that pit feeling.

Chatty Crone said...

I know that feeling too - just glad she is okay! sandie

Unknown said...

Wow! How scary. I'm so glad to hear your daughter is ok. Accidents happen so fast.

Karen Lange said...

So thankful all is well! Rejoicing with you! :)

Marie said...

I'm so glad your daughter is safe!
hugs!
Marie

Zoanna said...

Wow, what a story! I know that feeling of heart stopping fear. Our daughter had a similar accident a few yrs ago en route to a college class. rainy day, curvy road...she called in trembling fear. I remember thinking "oh, no, she crashed the little convertible. She MUST be hurt!" When i got to the scene I didnt see her car, but my son's Jeep Cherokee. On the opposite side, facing wrong way, door in back smashed in. She had borrowed his jeep after asking if he'd rather wake up and move it ouf of her way . He preferred to stay in bed. She was glad it was a rainy day because her car top leaked. All these things i was so thankful for ! No one was hurt. The lady who caused the accident pulled out of a blind driveway in her 40,ooo escalade nut did not hit my daughter. I thank God I was home to rush to her . Can't imagine your agony at being hours away! What gifts your relatives are to be there! Glad all 's well. Sometimes we need those wake up calls to remind us.

Christine said...

This probably isn't the best thing for me to read an hour after sending my 14 year old on a ten-day trip to a camp two states away. And yet, it is such a wonderful story of love and trust in God. These children really aren't "ours". We are supposed to let them fly, trusting that God will be there regardless of what happens. I have a friend who gets so annoyed when people say "God is good" only when good things happen. So right you both are. God is always good, even in the difficult moments.
So glad your daughter is OK. I'm sure it was quite scary for a while there!

Michelle said...

So scary! I'm glad she is ok!

Lynn Proctor said...

mare i am so happy your daughter is alright--yes praise our loving Father--and yes it was probably good you didn't see that picture of her car right away!

Paula said...

Been through a 'few' of these with 2 sons. I am so thankful she is okay!

Marianne said...

Oh my gosh, Mare!! So scary. I am glad she is okay & "Patient Steve" did his job remarkably well. What a blessing to have family in your life who can jump in and help like that. Love to all, Mar