Friday the 21st of April I was on my way to the elementary school when this happened. It does not appear too bad but the van was not drive-able, side air bags came out and after review, insurance has determined it non-repairable. I had two of our kids with us... Elianna was the one with the most bruising because of the airbags. She and I have back pain and Michael thankfully had no physical harm that we can see or he has mentioned. He talks about it often and asks if we are going to get in an accident almost every time we get in a vehicle.
When I went to the tow yard to get the car seats and anything we wanted out of the van, it felt so empty.... the airbags hanging down... I felt a little sad. It seemed silly because it is just a van. It has been our mode to go on adventures as well as get our family around day to day.
As I tucked my kids in bed that night, Elizabeth asked me why the accident had to happen. My emotions surfaced, I reflected to my brother's accident years ago and I felt so much gratitude that my family and I were all home and in the big picture doing well. I am grateful we are alive and that this was not worse.
I am grateful for the kind man who quickly pulled over and came and offered comfort. I do not know his name but he offered his hand while I was on the phone with the 911 dispatcher. I am grateful my children are ok and that I am still able to take care of my family. I am grateful the people in the other car were kind and not injured. I am grateful for the kind EMT's and policemen who took care of all of us. I am grateful for Mr. Wallace, Mrs. Chatfield and their willingness to help and make sure my other two kids were safe and arrangements were in place for them. They brought Elizabeth over so she could see we were ok and then Mrs. Chatfield stayed by her on the sidewalk. Elizabeth put on a brave face and held it together. She is a tough little girl. School had just got out and all the school buses passed by. I am so grateful Emylie did not see the accident and that her nurse knew to tell the bus driver to keep going so that Emylie would not see. When we got home and told Emylie she hugged me and cried. It was so tender to see her reaction and how grateful she was we were all ok. I am grateful David was able to take my call and quickly leave work to come offer support and give us a ride home. I am grateful that both insurance companies have been kind and easy to work with. I am grateful my Dad let us borrow his car for a couple days until we got a rental and grateful to have a van for a rental car for a couple more days...
