I Didn’t See It Coming

by

I don’t have a fun Favorite Find Monday to share with you all today.  I was in a car accident on Saturday and it has really shaken me up.

I decided to take two of my kids to a local spot to see the changing leaves and go for a hike.  My other child, Ella was with her dad at a softball tournament.  I spent the morning painting my upper kitchen cabinets (more of that to come) and then we headed out to Sugarloaf Mountain.

We were on a two lane, double yellow line road that runs along a lake and missed our left turn and needed to turn around.  I pulled over to the right, along a gravel stretch of shoulder that ended in a parking lot where people park and get out to enjoy the lake.  I stopped, looked both ways and pulled out.  Suddenly there was an explosion.  I had pulled out in front of a black Cadillac SUV and the impact took the front of our car off.

I didn’t see it coming.  I didn’t see him at all.  I was so shocked because during the impact, I really had no idea what had happened.  It was like our car suddenly exploded.  I was driving our small Hyundai Sonata sedan and he was driving a very large SUV and believe me, our car got the worst of it.

I stumbled out of our car and he was yelling at me that he had just bought his car a few days ago.  I just said over and over again, “I’m so sorry”.  I got back into my car and called my husband.  He had to figure out where in the world we were.  The driver then calmed down and we exchanged info.

The police arrived, the tow trunk arrived for our car, my husband arrived and we went home.  The strange thing was that the police said we were responsible for the debris in the street so my husband threw it into the back of the van and off we went.  It’s on our driveway now.  The sad bits and pieces of what is left of our car.

My kids were shaken up.  Sophie has sore shoulders today and my son has a headache and sore neck.  I am sore all over.  I have been walking around all day on the verge of tears and am exhausted.  Life can change in an instant and we were lucky.  I didn’t see it coming.car1

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  2. Oh my gosh, my first instinct is to say how sorry I am this happened to you and your kids. And then…I think how blessed you all are to be alive! God is watching out for you! Gratitude and thanks be to God for your ultimate safety. Peace to you! Heal and get back to your work when you can.

  5. Wow…. how traumatic for you and your family! Thank God you are all alive… hope your mental/emotional trauma subsides soon… accidents happen… that’s why we call them accidents!

  6. Oh wow! I’m SO sorry! That had to be so scary and awful! Hope you are all feeling better soon – physically and emotionally!

  7. Thank goodness you are relatively ok. I know it’s stunning to try to cope with, but concentrate on that you and your children are alive and safe now. Life can change in a heartbeat. I thank you for this reminder to savor each moment. And don’t let this affect your talent and creativity!

  8. Wishing you and your kids a quick and full recovery!! Take some time for yourself and regroup.
    Take care,

    Maxine

  9. It sounds like a miracle you are all safe and not seriously hurt. Thank the Lord! Take it easy and be good to yourself.

  12. So pleased that you and your children are virtually unscathed – such a shock for you all and for us, your followers. Though most of us don’t know you personally you are still in our thoughts….

  13. Well, praise God you are all okay. It could have been a lot worse then what you describe. To walk away from being t-boned with just aches and pains is a blessing in itself. Cars can be replaced, people cannot. So sorry to have to read this about you this morning, but SO thankful that you are here to be able to write about it. Praise God! Surely your guardian angels were watching out for all of you. xo

  15. I am so sorry about your accident. It is so frightening and stuns the mind. I am glad youare all OK for the most part. Be well and safe.

  17. How scary! Glad your all mostly alright!
    Can I just say what an Ass the other driver was! You had children in your car for goodness sake! Hmm was he speeding!? Have the skid marks checked for his speed! We all make mistakes. But he saw you!
    Two lane mountain roads are scary enough. However seems like he came from around a bend?
    Sorry to rant. Just so very sick of these large car drivers who feel we will all just get out of their way!
    Hope today finds you all feeling a bit less shaken.

    • Hi Gaylin, Yes, I believe he was speeding but there is no way of telling. No skid marks, although he says that he saw me pulling out and was hoping that I would stop. The speed limit there is like 30 so if he saw me, he should have been able to stop. Oh, well. We are all doing well and will recover! Thank you!

  18. Thankfully no one was seriously injured! It could have been so much worse. So happy to hear you and your children are all home with one another. Take Care and feel better soon.

  19. I am sending you and your family the energy that you need to heal your bodies and soul. The material is not important and I am sure that something good will come out of this.

  20. So sorry to hear what happened. It will take days for the shock to go so just relax and do nothing till you recover. We can wait till you’re back at 100%.

  21. Suzanne, I am so very sorry for your accident but so glad you and your kiddos were protected by God’s hand! Try and get some rest. I will say prayers for you!

  22. Thank God you and your children are okay. Doesn’t matter about the car that can be replaced! You should be checked out by your Doctors. ???

  24. I’m so glad you are all okay! Praise God! Take care of yourself and get back to it when you can.

  25. So glad you are all OK….I had a guy slam into the back of me….I know how shocked you felt and still feel….you rest and time shall heal. Prayers to you and yours.

  26. Sorry to hear of your scare and the possible demise of your Sonata. Thank the Lord for your family’s protection! I was hit from the back on the NJ Turnpike last Dec. 23rd, in my Sonata! Earlier prayers for a safe trip were answered as there was no harm to my son or me. As bad as the damage to the car was, I did get it back a month later and have had no trouble with it (insurance paid 14 grand for the repairs!) I look forward to seeing your kitchen project as I am considering doing the very same thing.

    • Hi Peggy – so glad that you and your son were okay! I drive the NJ Turnpike often to visit my sister in NYC. I know how crazy it can be. We are waiting to hear back re our Sonata – I hope it can be fixed. Thank you very much!

  27. Oh no! I am so grateful you and your family are okay! I shudder to think what could have been.

    I had an accident where I the right of way on a major highway, and a truck hit me without stopping at his stop sign. He didn’t see me. It sent me and my little Audi rolling over an embankment and I was upside down with the top of the car crushed in. I’ve never been able to go on that highway again and driving for me is now quite limited. I can understand how shaken you are. Vehicles can be a deadly weapon, yet, a necessity.

    The car can be replaced. You can’t. I’m sorry the other driver was an idiot about it. Rest up and take plenty of time to restart.

    • Oh, my goodness that must have been terrifying! It all happens in a split second which afterwards, makes it even scarier. So glad you were okay! Thank you so much!

  28. I do not know you, but read your blog every post. Take this time to love yourself and your family and rest! How grateful you must feel to have all three of you walk away from the accident. I hope you all heal and know you are truly blessed!

  29. Oh my goodness. That is so scary. So glad you all were not injured too bad. The exact same thing happened to my mother when I was a teenager. She pulled out of our neighborhood onto a four lane highway in front of a car she never saw. She just had minor injuries but she was so shaken up for months… and even up to today to a certain extinct. Sorry you had to deal with an angry man who values his car more than life. Hope you all have a speedy recovery.

  31. Oh Suzanne! What an awful thing to happen, but how blessed are you that no-one was hurt! I hope the children are coping well.

    I know this is probably right in the front of your mind, and, yes, causing tears, but it will move further back in your mind, and it will get better. It’s totally normal for it to be causing you the distress it is, but it will ease over the week. You just hang in there, love.

    Completely understand how you didn’t see the car, though. Manufacturers painting cars in colours which are simply not safe, is just ridiculous. It’s not rocket science; make vehicles visible.

    Take care of your self, Suzanne, and just let your feelings evolve as they do. Sending love and a big warm hug.

    Elisabeth (Australia).

  32. Thanks to God that everyone is ok. So sorry this happen. I cannot believe that guy did not get out saying is everyone ok, instead of getting upset that his new SUV accidentally damaged. Try and have a great Halloween you and your family, inspite of the accident. Again, so happy all is physically good.

  34. So sorry to hear of this! If you are reliving the experience, find an EMDR practitioner… It’s eye movement therapy that helps you process trauma. The sooner you go, the quicker the processing that takes place. (The Red Cross even uses it during natural disasters these days…) Hope you and your children are feeling better soon!

    • Thank you so much for the tip – we seem to be doing well now and will keep it in mind. It took a few days for the aching body to feel better 🙂

  37. So sorry to hear about the accident – and glad it wasn’t worse and you all are relatively okay. Yes, take time off to rest and feel better soon.

  38. Never left a comment here before but felt compelled to wish you and your family good thoughts.
    All my best.

  39. Oh, I am so sorry, I know how absolutely terrifying this must have been! We never expect accidents to happen. So glad you and your children weren’t seriously injured – wishing you all a speedy recovery in both body and mind.

  40. So glad you are okay. These things shake us to our core– meditate on how awesome it is to be living in the palm of God’s hand, relax and soak in a hot tub with some epsom salt– advice from someone who’s been involved in 2 accidents this year– xo

    • Hi Lee, I am so sorry that you have had two accidents in a year! They are so frightening. I hope you are doing well and thanks so much 🙂

  41. Hi Suzanne, Thank goodness you and your kids were not badly hurt! You need to take some time to heal both physically and mentally. Just remember it’s called an accident for a reason, it wasn’t something you meant to happen! Take care <3

  42. Wow…I would be worried about the other people before my car ….(even though I love my car..lol) I def. would have been getting out -if i could – and check on the other family – so glad you guys are okay! Man….life Is soo crazy and hectic, thank god for his Angels above! We all love you here 🙂

  43. So sorry for the accident but so happy all of you were able to walk away with minor injuries. That is a miracle. Cars can be replaced, precious lives cannot. Feel better very soon and take care.

  44. Oh Suzanne! That’s terrible! And when I saw the pic, I thought what’s that until you explained they asked you to clean up your own car parts…whaaaat…I’ve never heard of that! Most importantly, thank goodness everyone is safe and well! Thinking of you and your family hope you’re resting up. xo

    • Thank you, Denise 🙂 We are all recovering but the car is totaled. Dealing with the insurance, etc. now. Oh, well – it could have been so much worse so I count myself lucky.

  45. You were all fortunate to have come out of the accident with a few bumps and bruises. I’m surprised you had to literally pick up the pieces of your car; never heard of that before. Coincidentally, last night, my 16 year old daughter was side-swiped by someone who just hit and ran. She was in shock but didn’t suffer anything physical. Of course, this has always been my greatest fear, as she is a new driver. Been there, done that, as they say. It’s difficult, but we learn from these types of challenges.