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This morning I was laughing over coffee with a dear friend who was visiting us from California.
Our morning ritual was on track. Getting show-and-tell items ready to take to school. Reminding the kids to drink all of their milk. Struggling to get the little one’s coat on (he is still protesting the end of summer).
I kissed everyone goodbye and said my daily mantra to my husband. “Be Safe.” This is my daily way of telling him how much I love him and that he better do everything humanly possible to get home safely at the end of the day.
“Be Safe.”
The daily routine continued as my husband dropped off my boys at preschool. Then two blocks later – in a flash – the car he was driving was hit. Both air bags deployed. The windshield shattered.
In a Flash.
My husband was not hurt and walked away without a scratch.
My car was totaled.
In a Flash.
I pause to count my blessings that my husband will come home this evening and that my boys were not in the car at the time of the traffic accident. The “what ifs” are slowing passing and I look forward to quietly curling up with my family tonight and hugging all of them for as long as I possibly can.
I pause to calm my mind and to remove anxious thoughts. My family is safe. This is my peaceful affirmation today as I wash away my negative fears.
This is your moment!
How do you calm your mind in the moment of chaos?
Be safe…we can say it, we can practice it, but we can’t always control what happens. Whenever something like this happens to me (or to someone close to me) – I’m reminded that life is short, there are no guarantees, and all we can be sure of is this moment in time we have. So, what we do with that moment in time – is up to us. I choose to make this moment all it can be (well, I say that now…but that is what I strive for…even if I don’t hit it all the time).
In everyday life, things humming along normally – it can be all too easy to not take the time to tell your spouse you love them, to give the kids an extra hug, to really take the time to listen to a friend’s concerns, etc. I know I’m getting off on a tangent here, Stacey. It’s just, that this all reminds me how important it is to do the things in our lives that are truly important to us…
In chaos, I calm my mind knowing that there is a God who cares for me. And for those I love. It’s hard for me to find another way to find calmness in my mind – even though externally I may come across as calm.
Car accidents always stir up the thought of “what if”. What if your husband had left five minutes earlier. What if the air bag hadn’t deployed. What if your children were still in the car.
I’m so glad everyone is ok. That everyone is “safe”. Give them all an extra hug tonight.
Lances last blog post..Life Balance: A Very Personal Pyramid
Sorry to hear this Stacey, but he is safe and we should be thankful for that!
How do I stay calm in a moment like this? I stop talking, and concentrate on what I have to do.
BC Doans last blog post..Life Lessons to Remember
Oh Stacey – my heart leapt when I saw your post’s title appear on my iGloogle gadget (I was not intending to look at blogs at the moment) – I’m so glad you are all OK.
Robins last blog post..Emotional Balance
Stacey, I am so glad he is ok. I am sorry that this happened, I know it is hard to deal with, even when everyone is ok. We put so much trust into other people when we get out on the road. No matter how good of a driver you are and how safe you are… one silly mistake from someone else on the road can end it all… “In a flash” just like you said. I say just let this situation increase your appreciation even more for your husband. Take care, and good luck with your car situation!
– Jack Rugile
Simple Sapien
Simple Sapiens last blog post..Live Simple To Create Balance In Your Life
Stacey, thank god you hubby is ok. I can’t even imagine how you must be feeling right now. Give lot of hugs, cry a little, thank god, talk and once you start feeling a little better, bring in your humour. A little bit of humour helps to get out of shock. (Not everyone finds humour appropriate and right for this kind of situation).
Avani-Mehtas last blog post..Staying On Diet Without Offending The Host
Oh Stacey, I’m so glad your husband was not hurt in any way. A few years ago I was driving and my sister was in the passenger seat and we got hit by two cars. The car was completely smashed up but nothing happened to either one of us or to the people in the other cars. I think the number one thing to look for when buying a car is safety.
Marelisas last blog post..18 Ways to be Uber Creative
Oh Stacey, So glad everyone is okay. Celebrate your life and family this weekend …that is how I would keep any negative thoughts out 🙂
So relieved for you!
Oh Stacey, I’m so glad he’s OK.
I don’t know what else to say except that I’m so relieved for you.
Vered – MomGrinds last blog post..Advertising Sucks
@All – Thank you everyone for your warm words of support. Everyone is safe, my husband is peacefully sleeping, and our family hugs were priceless tonight.
Tomorrow, as a family, we will go over to the car shop to say our goodbyes to my car. Three weeks after I bought her, in Vermont, I put 10,000 miles on her during my 6 week road trip out to California and back. It was out of her radio speakers that I fell in love with the Grateful Dead. She safely transported me down to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when I decided to pursue a relationship with Jason (my husband). She carried my unborn son up to Champaign, Illinois (in my belly), and she brought my first son home from the hospital with me. With her oval Vermont euro sticker on her bumper and her glove compartment holding an unused bumper sticker that reads “What a Long Strange Trip It Is” she moved my family up to Chicago. She’s been good to me and my authentic self.
Thank goodness I’m able to continue to travel on this long strange trip with Jason.
Be Safe. Stacey
I’m so glad your hubby is Ok. Enjoy your weekend and give each other extra hugs…
Isolated Existences last blog post..When Dropping EC’s, How Many Times Do You Reload?
Prayer and meditation.
rummusers last blog post..India Launches Unmanned Orbiter to Moon
Wow, all I can say after reading this is wow. Having two kids including an infant I can’t imagine going through what you just went through, the fear, the anxiety, the reality. It puts a lot of the trials and tribulations we go through into perspective. Best wishes.
Hey Stacey –
I’m very sorry to hear about your car, and I’m glad your family is safe.
Important — Many, many, many people walk away from car accidents and feel fine. For a long time. Then they degrade years later. Not days, weeks, or months, but years later. It’s preventable by getting treatment right away, in the early weeks following the accident. Obviously, you need a chiropractor that you trust, but they can help avoid subluxation in the neck that can lead to downstream issues.
J.D. Meiers last blog post..Be Aware of the Larger System
so glad he was okay. I tell my hubby the same thing every time he leaves ;). We should value each moment we are given with out loved ones……..they are too few!
Annettes last blog post..A Cup of Love
It’s hard to keep calm in the face of fear – especially when the fear is real! Remembering that your husband was able to walk away without a scratch is the best way. The car is replaceable, people are not. I’m glad to hear your husband walked away without harm, and I hope others involved did the same.
We often take life for granted, when really you just never know.
I’m glad no one was seriously hurt, I’ve been in that situation where one minute you are doing a normal left turn and out of no where a cop car comes and is suddenly in front of you! Luckily no one was hurt then either, but it definitely does make one think.
So wonderful to see no injuries and yes definitely think about your blessings! Nice post!
ms last blog post..Change of Heart
Im not sure…I just pray Ill be able to.
glad you are all safe.
Thank you Stacey for the great reminder not to take anything for granted!
I found you through Tom Volkar’s site. I’m glad you joined.
Many Blessings,
Michelle Lee
Michelle Lee, CHs last blog post..Why Not Choose Peace…or Joy?
@Lance – Thanks for sharing how your calm your mind. Extra hugs are plentiful around here lately.
@BC – I am very thankful. Thank you for the kind words.
@Robin – Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.
@Simple Sapien – We do put a lot of trust into other people on the street. It’s very scary.
@Avani-Mehta – We are able to incorporate humor into the conversation now. Thanks.
@Marelisa – Thanks. We are looking for cars right now and the #1 factor is safety.
@Maya – We are celebrating life! Thanks.
@Vered – Thanks for thinking of us.
@Isolated Existence – Thanks. We enjoyed the beauty of life over the weekend.
@Rummuser – Thanks for sharing.
@Heather – Yes. The accident definitely put a lot of things into perspective.
@J.D. – Thanks for the tip.
@Annette – Thank you. Valuing each moment is so important.
@Stacey Shipman – I agree. We all need to remember how precious life is every day.
@Jenny – Accidents do make us slow down and think.
@M – Thank goodness, no injuries.
@MizFit – I also pray I’ll be able to.
@Michelle Lee – The accident was a great reminder not to take things for granted.