Thank you God for life among other things

To start off this post I want to assure any people who read this  that I am alright, however, I have just been through one of the scariest moments of my life: a car accident.

Example, not actual accident

                                              

For those of you who don't know I have always hated driving. I refused to start driver's ed. until I was sixteen, and even when I was in it I cried twice while on the road. The truth is I'm terrified of the thought of being hit, hitting someone else, or hurting myself or others. I was always the child who didn't need to see those gory car accident videos they show in driver's ed., because I was terrified without seeing blood and guts. Some have told me it's an irrational fear, but in truth car accidents aren't uncommon, and a huge car can do a lot of damage. Regardless I eventually got my license when I turned 18, the latest I could without renewing my permit, which is saying something considering in Idaho kids can get their permit at 14 and 1/2 and then get their license at 15.

So yesterday was my worst nightmare come true.

I was driving home with my brother. It was a typical afternoon in Boise with a sunny sky, and traffic filled streets. I must admit driving through downtown at 4:30 is never my favorite activity, so there was already a little tension as the car curved down the road.

The problem started with a harmless pedestrian. As I was rounding a small curve in the road the car in front of me slowed to a stop to allow a pedestrian to go across. There was a crosswalk, and Idaho law technically states that cars are supposed to give pedestrians the right of way at crosswalks. However, most people I know don't really pay that much attention to the law unless the pedestrian is actually in the crosswalk. This man was waiting patiently on the side of the road, so I was not expecting a sudden stop. Even so I managed to slam on my brakes and come to a complete stop before hitting the other vehicle. My brother and I sighed in relief.

                                     

But that was merely the calm before the storm.

There's a commercial out (at least in Idaho) that has a woman stopping abruptly for a pedestrian. She sighs in relief and then one second later a car slams into the back of her and everything turns into chaos. My experience yesterday was much like that.

After my brief seconds of relief everything erupted into chaos. I recall this horrible crashing noise, being thrown forward. The airbag erupted right into my face, dazing me. I vaguely recall screaming and hearing my brother yell. He later said the screaming was sort of comical, but at the time there was nothing funny about it. I was terrified out of my mind.

Everything finally came to a stop. I was dazed. My nose hurt like crazy and blood was dribbling out of it. My left hand also was aching horribly. Both airbags were deflated and powder was everywhere. I turned to glance at my brother. To my relief he appeared to be fine. He looked at me and I can't recall exactly what he said, but it was probably asking me if I was okay. I most likely replied with a simple "I don't know". I was still trying to process what had happened. My mind felt hazy.

I opened the door, but I didn't take my foot off the brake. I wasn't thinking well enough to turn off the car. I sat there and listened as my brother got out and called 911. I was incredibly grateful that he was handling everything, and I thank God for giving me my brother to go through the accident with me, because I couldn't have done it alone. I saw another woman talking on the phone as well. She seemed to be suggesting I might be hurt, and to be honest I still wasn't sure if I was hurt or not.

The pedestrian ran over, and he is one of the many things I have to thank God for. He helped me through the process of turning off the car and then helped me out and asked if I was ok. Really, God can send the most remarkable people into our lives in the most unusual circumstances. He was a witness, yes, but that didn't mean he needed to help me while my brother called the police.

It all was a process after that. The truck had smashed through most of the back of the car. We were seen by paramedics and talked to by the police. I answered questions and handed over my papers. My brother had called my mom who had sent my dad over on his bike. I am thankful to have such wonderful parents who helped us out so much and weren't too angry about the (most likely) totaled car. My mom biked over later and went to buy my brother and I drinks, as the warm day had dehydrated both of us.

Meanwhile my hand had started hurting like crazy, so after finishing up at the scene of the accident and getting the car towed, my dad returned to us with our other car, an old Volvo that has no power brakes, no power steering, no air-conditioning, no radio, etc. Things are going to be interesting without our normal car.

My dad drove me to a clinic where I had six x-rays done. No big breaks, but the radiologist is still checking for any small ones. I am stuck in a splint for a week until I heal up completely and my hand looks pretty nasty (black, blue, red and swollen).

So that will take some healing. Please keep me in your prayers. No other serious injuries other than bloody noses from the airbags, some whiplash, and a small abrasion on my brother's leg. Otherwise we are alright.

Therefore today I want to take some time to give simple thanks to God. I want to thank Him for life, for health and for safety. I want to thank Him for understanding parents, and for a helpful brother. I want to thank Him for the police and paramedics who serve our city, and for the help of random citizens who did good deeds.

I know I am blessed in many capacities. This year has been a crazy one, so as I step away from the scariest situation of my life I simply want to thank God for being with me in my time of need. I wish to offer worship for all that He has done for me, and all that He yet may do.