<p>We had a real wakeup call tonight. D was in a car accident. The first words out of her mouth were my face just hurts a bit when she called us. We had no idea what was going on. </p>
<p>H gave her some instructions and was on his way when we figured it out. I called the motor service for a tow. Called D to let her know Dad was on his way and so was the towing service. A paramedic answered her phone. I about lost it for a moment. He said she was fine, but needed to go to the emergency room as a precaution. I headed out the door. Longest 15 minute drive of my life. </p>
<p>She will be fine. She’s suffering some soft tissue injuries and minor burns from the airbag, maybe a mild concussion, but should be back to normal in a week or so. Poor thing just started her first job tonight and is part of the graduation on Saturday. I think she’ll suffer through it though just fine. Her friends are already planning visits tomorrow. (Talk about a love/hate relationship with cell phones right now. She was texting while waiting for a CAT scan.)</p>
<p>It’s been a long night. I just needed to relieve a bit of tension here, but the real point of the post…Hug that Kid!! They are never too old.</p>
<p>I am so glad she’s okay. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I hope graduation is WONDERFUL. :)</p>
<p>Definitely on the cell phone thing…back in late February, a friend of mine was burned pretty badly and taken to the hospital…we all knew and were scheduling visits within 2 days. ^_^</p>
<p>I am going to quadruple the plea for hugging all your children. Last evening one of my daughter’s classmates died. We don’t know if it was an accident or something worse. </p>
<p>A friend of mine that I have known since high school always ends every call with “I love you.” I asked her why…and she told me that the last time she spoke with her grandmother she told her that she loved her. Those were the last words her grandmother heard from her. A small measure of confort…</p>
<p>I am glad your daughter is fine. I hope she’ll have a great time at graduations. </p>
<p>We have some close friends who lost their children over the years so I am well aware of the expression “gone in a blink of the eye”. That always give perspective when the kids misbehave and I get mad with them.</p>
<p>When we went to D’s graduation weekend recently, she was in a serious accident on the way to Baccalaureate. All the relatives were caravanning behind her, except for S, who was with her. When she called on her cell, crying and saying, “it’s really bad, Mom”, my heart was racing so fast I thought it would burst.</p>
<p>We came upon the scene moments later, as the police arrived. She was physically ok as was our son. But H & I were very aware at that moment that we could have lost BOTH of them in that instant. It’s a feeling I won’t soon forgot.</p>
<p>We didn’t make it to Baccalaureate, and had to put it behind us so we could still make graduation day the next morning the joyous day it should be. Luckily, because there were no real injuries, we were able to accomplish that.</p>
<p>This event certainly put everything in perspective, very very quickly.</p>
<p>Rrah, I’m so glad your D is ok. That’s all that matters.</p>
<p>My mom always tells me, if I’m ever in an accident (but I’m okay), the first words out of my mouth upon her answering the phone better be “I’m okay.” And, that’s always the first thing they ask me if I call late at night (which I don’t very often).</p>
<p>HGFM, I tell my kids the same thing. Rrah, it has been almost one year exactly since I received the same call from my D. And I second (or third or fourth!) your advice, “hug that kid”. When I saw the car all I could think of was, “thank goodness for airbags.” The wounds will heal (though my D has a permanent airbag scar on her arm), but that anxious feeling of what might have been races fleetingly through my head often as I look at my D. Hug them often and tell them that you love them…When i saw your post my stomach dropped, but I am so glad that she’s ok. I hope she takes it easy and lets you and her friends spoil her for a few days.</p>
<p>And a plea on my part when buying first cars for your kids - make sure they have airbags - including side airbags. A family friend’s D had her life saved by a side airbag when someone ran a red light and slammed into the side of her car.</p>
<p>The only reason she had that car rather than one without a side airbag was that when shopping for cars she liked the nice blue color of the one that came with side airbags better than the white one without. Since the price was only another $100, her dad went along. Best color choice ever.</p>
<p>Your story brought back memories from the car accident my S had almost 3 years ago. The heart racing, nervous feeling when you get the call from them is something I will never forget. We kept telling him that a car can be replaced and as long as nobody was hurt then we were very fortunate. I remember we all did some extra bonding and hugging on the days that followed. Hang in there and our thoughts are with you.</p>
<p>justthismom–almost exactly what has happened here today. The car is 14 years old and was paid for long ago. It can be replaced. She can’t.</p>
<p>An update–those young bodies heal quickly. Most of her swelling has subsided. Some muscle soreness, but overall I think she’s doing well. Her chin and face will take a few weeks to heal. I forgot to pick up vitamin E today to perhaps prevent scarring, but she’s keeping it clean and applying some ointments to it. Her spirits were boosted tremendously by a boyfriend that arrived with ice cream and friends that came bearing chocolate pudding. I think I even heard her laugh and that was good and precious. </p>
<p>To clarify, she’s not graduating. Traditionally her school counselors select juniors to lead the graduating Seniors in and out. She’s one of the leaders. She’s excited to wear the cape and gown. She also wants to see her Sr. friends graduate. </p>
<p>curiouser–I’ve had nightmares like that. I’m so glad all ended well. </p>
<p>Although this was/is a major thing for us, my heart goes out to those of you that shared stories much more tragic. Thank you all for your kind thoughts and warm wishes.</p>
<p>rrah (& everyone else @ CC): <strong><em>&&&&&</em></strong><em>HUGS</em><strong><em>&&&&&</em></strong> to you and yours. I’m glad your D is okay.</p>
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I hope graduation is WONDERFUL. :)</p>