My day started with a car accident. I’m okay, or at least not seriously injured. I have some whiplash and twinges in my lower back, but some soreness in my shoulders and arm. I went to the ER where they took x-rays so nothing more serious showed up.
I was very lucky. I was slowing down to a stop because of a red light. Unfortunately, a truck in back of me was not timely in his own slowing down process. Once he noticed that the light was red and cars in front of him were stopping, he hit his brakes, but ran out of room and hit my car in the back. Again, I was lucky because he didn’t hit me at full speed. I was also far enough behind the truck in front of me that I wasn’t knocked into him. My car is fixable. The other driver is also insured. My insurance company is already all over it and my car was towed to the local body shop. Fortunately, the local body shop happens to be very good at their job, since we don’t have a large choice of establishments from which to choose.
Right after the impact, I knew that I was sore. What surprised me was how shaken up I was after the accident. My hands trembled and I had to force myself to focus on calling the sheriff’s department, locating my insurance info and registration and just thinking about what I should do, who else I should call. The EMTs came and I couldn’t make up my mind whether to let them strap me on a back board and transport me to the hospital or whether I could take myself there after finished with the police. Thank goodness for the deputy who kept checking on me. When I apologized for being shaky and weepy, she looked at me and told me I had every right to be after getting hit from behind. That little bit of affirmation and validation helped a lot.
Where I live, we only have one main road. It was no surprise to me to soon get a text from a friend and co-worker who’d passed the scene on her way to work and wanted to make sure I was okay. She would have stopped but it was a busy intersection at the time. I texted work. Before the highway patrol was even finished checking out the situation, getting everyone’s info and writing up the report, my top boss and friend arrived to provide a ride to the ER and moral support. The tow truck driver is also a friend of mine and he was able to tell me exactly where he should transport my car to get fixed.
At the hospital, the manager to whom I directly report showed up after her own doctor’s appointment to see if she could be of any help. Others were texting the boss to see what they could do.
All told, I wasn’t at the hospital very long and, after a quick trip to the pharmacy for my meds, I was home, resting on the sofa, and answering texts of other friends at work expressing their gratitude that I wasn’t badly hurt and asking if there was anything that I needed.
I spent the afternoon with ice packs, puppy cuddles, and a nap… followed by some serious reflection. I know that in times of trouble, friends reach out to assist each other. I’m the same way to my friends. But today, tonight, experiencing the outpouring of love and support from my friends and work family is really hitting home and filling me with great gratitude. (We do consider ourselves family at work, in case I haven’t mentioned that before.)
Maybe it’s because I’m older, single, and live far away from my blood family. I don’t know, but all of the kindness truly resonates. So, on a night when I could be grousing and grumpy over the inconvenience of an accident and the residual aches and soreness, what I feel most is happy, humble, and blessed.
My heart is full and that fullness comes out in a smile.
Weighty Matters 
Happy for you that you’re okay, and really happy that you’ve got such genuine workmates.
Fingers crossed for a continued speedy recovery. Cuddles are important!
Susanne
Good to hear you’re okay.
Now ya see? Next time you’re not giving yourself the love, remember how many folks everywhere love you. Seems you’re worthy.
Glad you’re okay!