<p>Thought, prayers and best wishes to your son and the family. So sorry you’re all having to go through this.</p>
<p>My next door neighbor, 17 (HS senior), was broadsided by an 18 wheeler that ran a light on Oct 18. He was in a coma for several weeks and has deep brain damage. His odds after the accident were nil. He is home and playing basketball in the driveway now. He has lots of therapy ahead and likely will have some brain damage for life. Count your blessings that your son’s injuries will heal and cars can be replaced (and we are very happy about that:)). Have a very Merry Christmas because all will be well soon.</p>
<p>Orangeblossom and WingsofEagles-
So glad to hear you are ok- that is what matters. Today is my h’s birthday too (all these xmas babies!). This will certainly be a birthday to remember. It is disappointing to lose a prized car, but as others have said-- it can be replaced. I agree that safety should always come first, and am happy that the only serious damage is to the car. BTW, what kind of car is it?? Is certainly sounds like a winner to me!</p>
<p>Glad your cc friends can be of support. And congrats on the 2 college admissions!! Let’s keep focused on the good stuff!</p>
<p>WingsofEagles -
Well, I think its pretty sucky you are laid up on Christmas and your birthday. We had to have our good old dog put to sleep last weekend, and none of us are exactly perky either. I have always found that doing something is better than doing nothing - is there a board game that your family could play? One of my son’s friends was over with a pretty spectacular gash on his head from a car accident over T-giving - you are not the only one.</p>
<p>My son had a near interlude with … a buffalo the other night. We live in a semi-rural area. He and his friends went carolling in our local country seat - and were on their way to pick up a pizza in another small town. They had to make a detour - one of roads was cordoned off - sheriff’s cars all over. They went down the alternate road - noticed something in the road ahead … they slowed and stopped - not a horse, not a deer (my son scored one within his first 10 hours of driving practice for his license) … it turned in the moonlight and it was a buffalo. The called 911 and reported it - dispatcher said ’ I know’. The buffalo moved off the road, and the kids in the Blazer moved smartly past, as they know better than to mess with a 2000 pound animal that is definately not domesticated.</p>
<p>Best wishes for a better new year, and congratulations on your college acceptances!</p>
<p>Wings-
I neglected to mention-- It sounds like you are having a bit of post-traumatic stress, with the image of the car coming at you. Try thinking about something you really enjoy- some favorite vacation spot or hobby (and include as many details as you can in your thought-- time of day, time of year, everything you see, hear, feel, even smell in this inner image you creat in your head) and envision it whenever those headlights sneak into your thoughts. You’ll probably find yourself avoiding that intersection if you can, for a while, and you’ll be jumpy when you see cars coming towards you. this is all normal, and it will get better. Hang in there.</p>
<p>Northeastmom & Audiophile ~ Thank you for your kind words! We are so thankful he’s alive, and appreciate every day together.</p>
<p>Seiclan ~ Thank you! I am so sorry that this week has been a difficult one for your DD. To DD: First, and most importantly, happy birthday! You have a bright future with a family that loves you. My son had all four of his wisdom teeth out late last summer. You’re wise to have them removed before you go off to school. I’m sorry that your dream school fell through. Try not to dwell on it though. I believe that things happen for a reason…and that there is an even better college out there that is just perfect for you. Please let me know how things turn out for you. There are many fine colleges out there that are looking for young people like you who are exploring all that their lives can mean to others. I wish you much happiness and success in the coming year.</p>
<p>Curmudgeon ~ Aren’t Christmas babies the best! Thanks for your very kind words. I know when our son began to drive, we took out this huge umbrella policy just in case. Hope we never have to use it, but if we ever have to…</p>
<p>Marite ~ Your poor H. Jaw wired shut. I remember that from years ago…not very pleasant. Thanks for your kind words. Yes, a replacement new car is coming soon.</p>
<p>Anxiousmom ~ Thanks for your comments. The worst part is seeing the fear and loss of confidence. When I drive him, he’s as anxious as I was when he first took the wheel. But this too shall pass.</p>
<p>Sybbie719 ~ Thanks so much for your personal message to DS. It says it all. We’re here and gone in an instant. That’s why I’ve always loved the simplicity of Thorton Wilder’s “Our Town” that exhorts us to celebrate the seemingly insignificant moments because they are what really comprise the treasured moments of our life. Our son had open heart surgery when he was two years old. And he was covered with monitors, and tubes, and wires, and lines. The only place I could really touch him was on his thumb…and it was magical. When I was first allowed to pick him up, when the attendants were changing his bed, it was a transcendental experience. Knowing DS was alive in the ambulance ranked right up there.</p>
<p>NJres ~ You are so right! Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Mattmom ~ How sad about those young girls. How tragic for their families. It’s a pity that their bright futures are lost. When we went car shopping, the first salesman tried to steer us in the direction of a convertible, but we declined. The second heard our desire for a substantial, safe car. The car we ultimately bought was a lot more than we wanted to pay, but it had every safety feature and was top-rated in every rating and review…and we just couldn’t say no to that. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut. Thanks for your kindness.</p>
<p>Fireflyscout ~ Thank you for your wisdom. Yes, my son did confront his mortality, and he didn’t like it one bit. I see him as changed, though uncertain as to the dimension at this point since he’s pretty much confined to home for the short-term. While you don’t like to see your teen face that so early in life, that’s not necessarily a bad thing (if the outcome, as it was in the case, is benign).</p>
<p>3boysnjmom ~ Your message comes through solidly. We never can be too careful, or love too much. Thanks for your kind words!</p>
<p>Northstarmom ~ Thanks for your good wishes. We are very blessed this holiday season, and we will never forget that!</p>
<p>Berurah ~ Thank you so much for your comfort and love. My DS is coping the best he can, though it has not nearly begun to integrate into his life. I think he feels safest now at home. He has shown absolutely no desire to ever drive again; I hope over time that will change. I know he’s very anxious when I’ve had to drive him to appointments, etc., but I know that’s only natural. We had a quite Christmas/birthday. Since he and I are also sick (being outdoors in the cold and the stress, no doubt), the usual gathering was deferred. A peaceful day was best for all, and it allowed DS to relax and move about at his own pace and not be bombarded with questions and activity that he’s not ready for. I’ll relay your kind words to DS soon. As I’m sure you’re aware, he is very raw right now, so I told him that I was making a folio of good wishes from his friends at CC for when he’s ready to receive them. Thanks for your kind words. I hope all goes well with your son at Duke, and the rest of your brood.</p>
<p>Ophiolite ~ I am so very sad to hear about the terrible accident that happened to you, but am so truly amazed by the wonderful devotional you have turned it into. You demonstrate such courage and wisdom. I will try my best to bring the knowledge you have given to me to positive use in my family. Thank you for your insight. I hope that you are doing well now, and that your future is what you hoped it would be. I will pray for your happiness and wellbeing.</p>
<p>Momofthree ~ Thanks! Hugs to your boys, too!</p>
<p>Ctymomteacher ~ Thank you! Funny how things come full circle. I found myself standing at my son’s bedroom door all goofy eyed staring at him sleeping in his bed the same way I used to when he was a baby…hardly able to believe the miracle that God had given me, how humbled I felt by the challenge ahead.</p>
<p>Overanxious mother ~ Oh my, how frightening that must have been to see your DS tumble and be helpless to prevent it. It sounds like everything is well now…thank heaven. What a sorority motherhood is. To love wholeheartedly, then let go. You must be so proud of your son. He must feel very loved too! Thanks for posting!</p>
<p>Over30 ~ Thanks for your kinds words!</p>
<p>Bandit_TX ~ I am so sorry to hear about your neighbor’s child. That is so very sad. I will keep him in my prayers, and hope that he will continue to make steady progress. I appreciate your sharing.</p>
<p>Jym626 ~ First, happy birthday to your H! Thanks for your kind words! And thanks for the ideas about how to beat the post traumatic stress!</p>
<p>Ohio_mom ~ Yes, your ideas are great! We had a very quiet day…definitely not the usual…and it worked out well. We did very traditional things…DS really enjoyed that…really bonded…at the end of the day even toasted with our last can of the old Pepsi Holiday Spice (an oldy, but a goody). The nesting really made DS feel warm and safe…and I think that really helped.</p>
<p>EVERYONE WHO POSTED ~ I’ve put together a folio for DS, which I’ll share with him soon. He’ll love your words. Thank you all.</p>
<p>**************************************************THE CAR THAT SAVED HIS LIFE ~ 2006 TOYOTA SOLARA SLE V6 COUPE with ABS, driver and passenger front and side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, VSC. The car is built like a tank. Though it’s a Toyota product, it’s built by Lexus, and has the fit and quality of a Lexus. It has 5-star crash ratings. Several reviews name it the top safety vehicle sold. My husband had been saving for this car since DS was adopted, so we got him a fully loaded car with NAV, leather, etc. The car came in at about $28K (much, much, much more than either my car or H’s, but worth every penny since it saved his life).</p>
<hr>
<p>well the X-mas is over, but may the new year bring him all the joy.</p>
<p>I’m a student.</p>
<p>I am so sorry that you had to have this accident happen at all, and at some a normally happy time must be horribly shocking and devestating. But, you will move on, and in ten years, this will only be a memory of one not-so-happy Christmas among years of joyful ones. As you know, you have a tremendous amount to be thankful for this year–a lifesaving car and, of course, your wonderful son’s health. I wish that both of you recover wholly and quickly.</p>
<p>Orangeblossom, as a newbie (me) you were so helpful to me and when I saw this post I thought oh dear God No! I am so happy that your son is “okay” and identify with the Post Tramatic Stress Disorder that he is feeling now. I can’t imagine coming upon the accident and not knowing how your child was and what his condition was - every parents nightmare!. You must have PSAT yourself so please take care of yourself as well as your wonderful son. Hugs to your son and your family!!!</p>
<p>
You can tell you’re too college concerned when…</p>
<p>-student :)</p>
<p>My neighbor was in a Toyota 4 wheel drive pickup with airbags. I’ve seen the truck and I can’t believe he wasn’t killed and no broken bones, just the head injury. They had to cut him out, the drivers side of the cabin is pushed to the tunnel, the frame rail kept it from cutting the truck in two. I think a side curtain airbag might have saved him from injury, but who knows.</p>
<p>OrangeBlossom and WingsofEagles I’m so so sorry to hear about this terrible accident. It’s times like this when the bonds of love in our families really help us through and I can see from OrangeBlossoms posts on CC that there are such bonds between you. I’m hoping you’ll all recover from this soon and am so relieved that the outcome was about as good as it could have been.</p>
<p>xxoo andi</p>
<p>OrangeBlossom and WingsofEagles, I am so sorry to hear of this accident! I am so happy, though, as I’m sure both of you are, that WingsofEagles is still here to celebrate life, Christmas and his birthday with his wonderful family! I wish you quick healing, WingsofEagles! Sending hugs and good vibes your way!</p>
<p>orangeblossom and wingsofeagles…from a Virginia Mom…thanks for sharing this critical event with our community of families with young drivers emerging into college lives. Our bargain hand me down early model SUV from a beloved grandparent has no airbags and although we didn’t let son take it to college, now we won’t let son take it around the little town we live in anymore. It is going up for sale. May the knee heal and the fright fade and the foresight shown re choosing your safe vehicle along with the perspective gained thrive.</p>
<p>Faline, something you said about the safety of vehicles that children take to college remind me of something that recently happened. In an attempt to surprise her brother and see his basketball game, a neighborhood acquaintance’s daughter was driving home the Friday prior to Thanksgiving and rolled her vehicle several times. Thankfully, she and her passenger lived, but were banged up quite a bit. Immediately after learning of this accident, my first thought was “Thank God they got rid of that convertible before she left for college!” I stopped at their house the next day to give my best wishes and see if there was anything I could do. The first thing they told me was, “Something told us to replace her car before she left for college. Thank God we did.”</p>
<p>Again, Orangeblossom, I am so happy WingsofEagles is okay. Thank goodness it was his car that took the brunt of the accident. As sickening as it is to see the twisted metal of his car, I’m sure it brings a smile to your face to know it saved him!</p>
<p>SplashMom…do you have swimmers in Nashville…we used to live there and swimming is big there for a landlocked town.
You are definitely helping me break out of procrastination with that example along with orangeblossom’s near miss with tragedy. It’s time to be a more responsible parent!</p>
<p>sybbie, you have me in tears. You’ve expressed perfectly what every one of us parents feels.</p>
<p>Orangeblossom,
I am so sorry to hear of your son’s shock…but very glad to know he is ok. As a mom I can identify with insisting on the safest car available. That was a great decision. My prayers are with your son and you.</p>
<p>Cars are dangerous objects and its scary that so many people are reckless with them. Just yesterday I saw a person in a sports car on a high way almost cause what would have been a deadly accident because they quickly changed lanes without signal when an SUV was legally changing lanes, not knowing another car was about to ram into it. The SUV had to swerve and almost flipped over onto other cars (this was on Christmas Eve in NJ so you can imagine the amount of cars on the road). The other time a car was legally pulling out of a 4 way stop sign and another car drove right through going prob. 50 mph. Thankfully the legal car had good reaction times.</p>
<p>As for cars I find that of your Japanese cars (Toyota/Lexus, Honda/Acura) are EXTREMELY reliable in all aspects of the car. The Solara has the frame of a Camry and is heavily based on it as are a lot of Toyota’s vehicles. Not only is the Camry an extremely reliable car but this makes the other vehicles that are based off of it (Solara for example) or cars that just take a different logo and add more features (Lexus ES300) good cars as well. I would say any Japanese car that you go with is an excellent choice for not only a new driver but any driver who wants a car that can last forever. And NEVER get Hyundai’s or Kia’s for new drivers. I was in an accident with a Hyundai accident that the impact speed was probably 15mph or so and the Hyundai was obliterated. The whole frame was bent, the electrical components were dust, and the engine was dust and mind you this was a 2003 model…</p>
<p>Anyways thankfully your son is alive and getting better. Just tell him to keep moving foward and don’t look back. By looking back it will probably make an unfortunate situation even worse.</p>