It’s been several days since the accident that nearly altered my life forever. As I sit here, nursing my bruises and nursing a couple of cracked ribs, I can’t help but reflect on what could have been had our paths not crossed in that moment.
We were total strangers before this incident, and I never anticipated that our encounter would turn out this way. It all happened so quickly; a split-second decision could have shifted our fates in either direction. I didn’t see you approaching until it was too late. You were like a speeding bullet, and there was no time to evade your reckless course.
If only I could harness the “super powers” I often tell my kids I possess. I wish I could have lifted my car out of your path, but in that moment, I was powerless. As you sped through that stop sign without a hint of hesitation, my life flashed before my eyes. The sound of your vehicle colliding with mine was something I had never experienced before—almost as if it had its own distinct color and scent. Everything turned orange as I spun around, careening onto a sidewalk, narrowly avoiding a house and just missing a telephone pole by inches.
That day could have ended differently for both of us. “Why did you run the stop sign?!” I shouted through tears of panic. “I’m so sorry,” you replied, “I didn’t see it.” At that moment, my intense anger transformed into something I had not expected—empathy. You were in distress, crying, and young enough to be my own child.
“Are you okay?” I managed to ask, my voice trembling. “I think so, are you?” you responded, and I said, “I think so too.” I had just dropped my daughter off at school, and my younger child was at home with her dad that day. Thank goodness!
Turning to look at my car, which now rested on the sidewalk, I felt a wave of disbelief. I opened the back door and hugged the empty car seat where my little one would have been seated—the side that was hit. I wept, breaths coming in heaving gasps, overwhelmed with gratitude that she was safe.
I can’t pinpoint what distracted you that morning. I can’t say for sure that you were texting, but it was evident that you were rushed and unfocused. Something other than driving had captured your attention during your journey through our streets.
A Call to Action
To everyone reading this: you have a responsibility—to yourself and to every person you share the roads with. When you send that text, speed without caution, or indulge in distractions, remember that you are not alone. You are surrounded by others, their families, friends, and loved ones. So, please, let’s put an end to distracted driving. No momentary distraction is worth the risk.
If you’re interested in learning more about the topic of home insemination, check out this post on Intracervical Insemination. And for those considering at-home options, Make a Mom is a reputable online retailer for at-home insemination syringe kits. For further guidance, Hopkins Medicine provides excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, it only takes a moment of distraction to change lives forever. Let’s all commit to staying focused behind the wheel for the sake of ourselves and those around us.
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