Accidents Happen

I like to keep things "real" and write not only about good times and happy things, but also the difficult times and challenges in life. So, I guess it's time to write this post. A week and a day ago, I got the dreaded call that no parent ever wants to get: "Your daughter has been in an accident." Even now, my heart is pounding as I type this. I had intended to share what I was feeling and many of the details of the whole ordeal, but now I'm not sure I'm ready to do that. We'll see. Here goes.

Haley was driving to work just before 4 p.m., when the sun is practically blinding in the direction that she needed to go. She was just a few blocks from home. She didn't see the bus headed her way. It hit the car on the passenger door on the driver's side. The car spun around, the axle was broken and the frame bent. Haley was not seriously injured, but flying glass gave her multiple lacerations on her forehead. The volunteer fire department had to use the "jaws of life" to get her out of the car. There was a lot of blood. She had to have nine painful stitches in her forehead.

For days I had a terrible feeling inside that I just could not get over. I now know what the phrase "I'm just sick about it" means. I had trouble eating and sleeping. My girl was hurting, and there was really nothing I could do about it. She had gone through a traumatic experience and I wasn't there with her when it happened. But I know she wasn't alone. God was there protecting her. And I am thankful. So thankful. As you can see from the photo above, if the timing of the accident had been just a little different, we may not have Haley with us today. She will have physical and emotional scars, but she is here. And now, each time I hug her, I hold on a little longer.