The day had been relatively uneventful. Walmart and the grocery store weren't as slammed as I thought they would be. We met my sister at Walmart and picked up my daughter. We were headed home to celebrate my husband's birthday and to finally get our tree decorated.
At first it didn't register with me what had happened. We came upon a local school bus with it's hazard lights blinking. The bus driver waved us by, and I thought she must be broke down. This is a well-traveled country road. But then, a half mile down the road, we saw it.
The car was in the field. It was upside down. Originally the car was white, but it was so muddy that I thought for a few minutes that it had caught fire. It hadn't, but the situation did not look good. There was a truck in front of us, pulled over onto the side of the road, with his hazards on. My husband pulled up behind him and jumped out of the truck.
The man was on the phone with 911. I think it was at this moment that I realized that this accident had just happened only minutes earlier. Emergency services hadn't yet arrived. I couldn't see anyone in the car, but I started praying immediately.
As soon as the man got off the phone with 911, he and my husband ran into the field to see if there was anyway they could be of assistance. They could not. There wasn't anything they could do.
Within a few minutes emergency workers began to arrive. After a short time we drove quietly home.
The girl driving the car was a young girl that we knew in passing. She had been in my the same graduating class as my 19 year old daughter. She had ridden with us to youth group a couple of times a few years ago, lived in our town, was a face we knew. We got confirmation of her identity just a couple hours after the accident. Word spread fast. Saddened by the loss, with images in our heads that we don't want, we pray now for the family of this dear girl, little more than a child.
There are instances when the reminder of how frail life can be is shown in vivid detail. We aren't promised tomorrow. A car accident five days before Christmas was not how this family planned to spend the holiday. Their Christmases may never be the same. When this young girl left her home today, she had no clue that it would be for the last time. I have the urge to yell, as loudly as I can, "Life is Short! Are You Ready if Today is Your Last?"
Do you know that Jesus is waiting for you in heaven?
I have a peace in knowing that, if I die, I will see Jesus. I will see my loved ones that have placed their lives in His hands.
My husband and I came home to a house full of guests for my husband's birthday. We tried to focus on the moment, on life. It was difficult. We decorated our tree and ate ice cream cake. But a part of us was still back at that accident scene.
I have prayed all evening. I find myself praying each time I find a moment alone. Now, late at night, with the guests gone and the wind of the blizzard blowing outside, the shock is wearing off and grief is finding its way into my heart. I'm going to go take a long, hot shower and spend some time with God, allowing Him to bring me the peace that only He holds.
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