Why I don't use my cell/text while driving ....
Today is a day that for the last 5 years has been a reminder of blessings and miracles.
I can remember the moments so clearly. Xavier was 3, Wyatt just 6 months. I was in the kitchen packing the diaper bag and making chocolate milk for Xavier's drinkie cup as we were getting ready to leave for my Mom's for the night. Scott was packing up the car which was parked on the other side of the road as someone had parked in front of our house. He was making multiple trips due to having 2 little kids with their toys, pack-n-play, etc. I remember standing there putting everything together thinking of my sister-in-law who had passed away just 3 days earlier from complications from Lupus.
Wyatt was napping in the living room on his blankie, Xavier was running between the front porch (which I could see from where I stood in the kitchen) and me asking when we were leaving.
A minute later I heard tires screaching and a young girl screaming "I never saw him". I dropped the milk container that I was holding on the floor as I went running out the door in time to see my husband pick Xavier up off the road. The girl and her friend where crying, Scott is yelling at me to move because as the Mommy I wanted him in MY arms. Scott set him on the couch and Xavier was awake and alert and, if you could believe it, didn't seem to having anything wrong with him. Scott used to be an EMT so he checked him over and he had a scratch on his one hand and both knees. That was it. There were no bruises, no bumps, to trauma.
The girl who was driving the car was only 16 years old and had her license 3 weeks, her and her friend where on their way to basketball cheerleading practice. Our road is a quiet road only 3 blocks long but people were always speeding. And, I truly believe that if any other person had been driving I would have lost my son that day. She had her window open and way driving slowly and paying attention. She said she caught a blur from behind our neighbor's truck and swerved to miss him. She had collapsable side mirrors and that is what he bounced off of... spinning him away from the tires.
In that next instant I almost lost my husband. When she swerved to miss Xavier she stopped 6 inches from my husband who was standing at the car, his back to the road, oblivious to what was happening. What only we knew at that time was that his platelets were dangerously low and he was receiving chemo. Had she hit him, he would have bled out before we got him to the hosptial 6 blocks away.
After I had my mini meltdown in the other room, I hugged the girl and told her Thank You. She kept saying it was her fault and I said no honey, it was not. Even if the outcome was different I could not blame you and I asked her to take that moment and remember it every time she got in the car. She saw how truly important it was too pay attention to DRIVING when DRIVING. I tried to reach her mother many times that week to speak with her about her daughter and to thank her for being so responsible. My calls went unanswered. I learned from my Aunt who worked with a friend of the Mom's that she was afraid to call. Afraid that we would sue. When the co-worker was telling the story from the driver's POV to my Aunt, she was like "That was my nephew she hit". She assured her that I wanted to make sure that the girl was ok and to assure the Mom it wasn't the daughter's fault. But, they refused to contact me back regardless.
When we asked Xavier about what he remember he told us he went to run after Daddy and he was in the road and then he was standing on the side walk with someone and then Daddy was holding him. I believe that my son had his Guardian Angels (My Dad and his Aunt Carol who had passed that week) and God with him that Day. The driver of the car has an Angel guiding her that day too. Even as I finish typing this, tears (even now) streaming down my face, I remember just how much a moment means and how fast it can be taken.
Every year I write out my memories of that day. And with each year the guilt that I feel for having not watched him in that moment lessens. What doesn't lessen is the blessing that I felt in my heart when I see Xavier smiling up at me when I give him an extra big hug this morning as he goes off to school.
This year I have an added reason for remembering this day. With all the tragedies surrounding using cell phones and texting while driving, I am reminded each time I go to use my own cell that if the teen driver that day had been distracted, I could be spending today putting flowers on my son's grave instead of waiting for him to get off the bus with a big kiss and a hug for me.
I can remember the moments so clearly. Xavier was 3, Wyatt just 6 months. I was in the kitchen packing the diaper bag and making chocolate milk for Xavier's drinkie cup as we were getting ready to leave for my Mom's for the night. Scott was packing up the car which was parked on the other side of the road as someone had parked in front of our house. He was making multiple trips due to having 2 little kids with their toys, pack-n-play, etc. I remember standing there putting everything together thinking of my sister-in-law who had passed away just 3 days earlier from complications from Lupus.
Wyatt was napping in the living room on his blankie, Xavier was running between the front porch (which I could see from where I stood in the kitchen) and me asking when we were leaving.
A minute later I heard tires screaching and a young girl screaming "I never saw him". I dropped the milk container that I was holding on the floor as I went running out the door in time to see my husband pick Xavier up off the road. The girl and her friend where crying, Scott is yelling at me to move because as the Mommy I wanted him in MY arms. Scott set him on the couch and Xavier was awake and alert and, if you could believe it, didn't seem to having anything wrong with him. Scott used to be an EMT so he checked him over and he had a scratch on his one hand and both knees. That was it. There were no bruises, no bumps, to trauma.
The girl who was driving the car was only 16 years old and had her license 3 weeks, her and her friend where on their way to basketball cheerleading practice. Our road is a quiet road only 3 blocks long but people were always speeding. And, I truly believe that if any other person had been driving I would have lost my son that day. She had her window open and way driving slowly and paying attention. She said she caught a blur from behind our neighbor's truck and swerved to miss him. She had collapsable side mirrors and that is what he bounced off of... spinning him away from the tires.
In that next instant I almost lost my husband. When she swerved to miss Xavier she stopped 6 inches from my husband who was standing at the car, his back to the road, oblivious to what was happening. What only we knew at that time was that his platelets were dangerously low and he was receiving chemo. Had she hit him, he would have bled out before we got him to the hosptial 6 blocks away.
After I had my mini meltdown in the other room, I hugged the girl and told her Thank You. She kept saying it was her fault and I said no honey, it was not. Even if the outcome was different I could not blame you and I asked her to take that moment and remember it every time she got in the car. She saw how truly important it was too pay attention to DRIVING when DRIVING. I tried to reach her mother many times that week to speak with her about her daughter and to thank her for being so responsible. My calls went unanswered. I learned from my Aunt who worked with a friend of the Mom's that she was afraid to call. Afraid that we would sue. When the co-worker was telling the story from the driver's POV to my Aunt, she was like "That was my nephew she hit". She assured her that I wanted to make sure that the girl was ok and to assure the Mom it wasn't the daughter's fault. But, they refused to contact me back regardless.
When we asked Xavier about what he remember he told us he went to run after Daddy and he was in the road and then he was standing on the side walk with someone and then Daddy was holding him. I believe that my son had his Guardian Angels (My Dad and his Aunt Carol who had passed that week) and God with him that Day. The driver of the car has an Angel guiding her that day too. Even as I finish typing this, tears (even now) streaming down my face, I remember just how much a moment means and how fast it can be taken.
Every year I write out my memories of that day. And with each year the guilt that I feel for having not watched him in that moment lessens. What doesn't lessen is the blessing that I felt in my heart when I see Xavier smiling up at me when I give him an extra big hug this morning as he goes off to school.
This year I have an added reason for remembering this day. With all the tragedies surrounding using cell phones and texting while driving, I am reminded each time I go to use my own cell that if the teen driver that day had been distracted, I could be spending today putting flowers on my son's grave instead of waiting for him to get off the bus with a big kiss and a hug for me.
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Replies
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God's Grace....truly
touched by your story, thanks for sharing. hug0 -
Wow - what a story. Praise the Lord that you son was ok and the girl and you learnt a valuable lesson.
I just pray that someone else reads this and takes a moment to consider their own driving.
Hugs
Luv Kat
:flowerforyou:0 -
Wow, this really gave me goosebumps. I don't know what to say.
You are so lucky to have your son alive and well. So glad he is alright!0 -
Wow, that's an awesome testimony!0
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Wow...that's all i can say.
To be honest, whenever i see posts that are this long i normally go to the next page and never read it. But for some reason this time i read the whole thing. It was very moving and just an amazing story. I'm glad everyone is okay and i wish you the best. Thanks for posting. :]0 -
Bless you for sharing your story as a reminder to everyone to stay alert when we are driving! God has a special plan for your son and your husband, as He does for each of us and it definitely wasn't either of their time that day! I drive a lot in my job and I always pray for God's protection before I head out.
That's a handsome little boy you have there, btw!
) 0 -
Great story! That brought tears to my eyes. I totally believe in guardian angels and feel that things/events like this happen for a reason and are not just coincidences.
I avoid my phone while driving for that very same reason. Stuff happens in a split second. It's better to be prepared and ready to react than be distracted. Glad to hear that your son and husband are doing well! Thank you for sharing0 -
Thanks everyone. I copied this directly from my blog and thought about shortening it. But, if I started editing then it would lose the emotion that I was feeling as I was typing it out and I thought that the full story has a bigger impact than a 2 sentence blurb. And yes, I usually surpass these longs posts too but I thought if just ONE person does read it and it makes them think the next time they are driving then I would be happy!
And thanks for the compliment on my son. He is a very smart 2nd grade straight A student with a love of science and writing. His teachers are taking bets on his profession... President, Writer, Vet or Marine Biologist.
But, as long as he is here and he is happy.... that is all that matters. 0 -
I don't think you have ever told me this. I am completely in tears. omg....God was truly there with you guys that day. I am speechless.0
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I shouldn't have read this at work. It's nearly impossible to keep the tears from falling.
Thank you so much for posting this. I do believe guardian angels were at work that day. So glad everyone is ok. God bless you and your family and the teenage driver. What a valuable lesson for every driver. 0 -
In Ontario Canada it is illegal to use any device that is not hands free in your vehicle, there is a hefty fine if you are caught...I guess someone was thinking
when they made that law. 0 -
I don't think you have ever told me this. I am completely in tears. omg....God was truly there with you guys that day. I am speechless.
OMG, I can't believe that you didn't hear about it. You and Jay were living in PA then right? Or maybe still on the West Coast, not really sure. But yeah.... my stomach still knots when I think about it. Could you even think to imagine Xavier not being here? Wyatt growing up without his big brother and best friend?!
I swear I've never had the feeling so strong as I do today about how important this message is. I feel like I am being pulled somewhere but just not sure where yet ... .but, I do feel a cause coming on!0 -
Oh wow. What a story ♥ 0
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In Ontario Canada it is illegal to use any device that is not hands free in your vehicle, there is a hefty fine if you are caught...I guess someone was thinking when they made that law.
Even though it is a law in, I think, in most of the States people ignore it. And I wish I could say it is just teen drivers but I see adults weaving and notice that they are on the phone, it seriously is a big problem. Unfortunately, like most of life's important lessens, they are not learned the easy way and I do not want anyone to have to lose someone to learn that lessen.
Of course there is also the lessen that no matter how well behaved your child is, and how they have never not done exactly as they were told. They still are kids and impulsive. Xavier would not even so much as go on our sidewalk without asking permission if we were STANDING on the sidewalk... yet that day he got it in his head to run after Scott. Lessons everywhere...0
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