Friday, October 30, 2009

Twilight Zone

Seven years ago today, I was in a car accident. The reason that comes to mind is that Z called me this morning to tell me he'd been in one today. I remember the date because it was the day that Z was allowed to break the news to the school, where he was working at the time, that he was accepting another position in the school district. Instead of making that announcement, he had to come take care of his wife--I really screwed that up for him, didn't I?


That day seven years ago brings to mind a number of interesting facts.


I was rear-ended as I stood still by a guy in a black car who was going 35 or more miles per hour. His air bag deployed. He had passed out and was just coming to when I got out of my car. I'm sure he about croaked when he saw my seven-months-pregnant body.

As soon as I got out, a man approached me. He told me that he was an under-cover narcotics officer (flashed his badge) and said he'd help get things under control. He got the tow truck there and started directing traffic. My van was a mess in the back. I had a difficult time getting it farther onto the shoulder of the road. Our former bishop drove by, pulled over up the road a ways and came over to help me and make sure all was well.

So, does anyone else see the distinct tender mercies in this?


The other thing that was amazing to me was that I was completely unharmed. At impact, I felt that I had been lightly tapped in the back although I heard the screeching tires. As I recall, when the accident occured, the other driver was attempting to light a cigarette. He didn't even know I was there until it was way too late. I know my car felt the impact much more than I did. The dent in the back proved that along with the large bucket of Costco laundry detergent that had overturned and rolled to the other side of the car.




Here's what makes this a Twilight Zone moment....

That evening, we went to a car rental agency to rent a van. As we walked around to the front door, we were greeted by a van-full of kids calling us by name and inquiring as to why we were there. We knew them from church. They were also there to rent a van.

Ends up that their mom, also named Julie, also seven months pregnant with her fifth child, which was also a boy, and also driving a Mazda MPV minivan (which, as I recall, was the same champagne color as ours) was hit by a black vehicle. She was just on her way home from taking her kids to the dentist; I was just going to the dentist, and thankfully, had no children in my van. We had both spent a portion of the day at the hospital having our unborn babies monitored. Both MPVs were totalled as a result of the accidents.

Amazing, huh?

So, today's accident was in the Suburban that we purchased to replace that MPV. Everyone's okay. It was a really dumb circumstance and just too bad it happened at all.

9 comments:

Meredith said...

Goodness Julie! Crazy story. I am trying to figure out how many unnamed players in this post I know from my past! LOL!

Rachel said...

WoW! I got shivers when you posted on FB this afternoon-- I remember that day 7 years ago very vividly! I also remember that at the time, we were attending the temple weekly together and that we had gone just that morning and knew that it had probably played a part in your safety! Hopefully you don't need to repeat this one again in 7 years again-- creepy!~

Alyson said...

Wow. So glad everyone is OK. And that is such a weird coincidence! Seven years apart, to the day.

Also, weird that anyone would schedule dentist appts before Halloween. ;) (Just kiddin'.)

Anonymous said...

Glad the Hess pumpkins are all safe!

Anonymous said...

Car accidents totally stink. So glad that everyone is safe.

Lillian said...

Wow! That's quite a story! I must point out a glaring error, however. The MPV is a high-capacity SUV-hybrid, and most definitely NOT a minivan.

/foot stomp

My MPV was totaled when our house exploded 3 years ago. I can only dream my replacement vehicle (also not a minivan) will last until 2013, but if it does I will insist everyone in the family be really careful that day.

Hesses Madhouse said...

Our MPV was pre-SUV. It was definitely not a hybrid. Just a basic minivan with a door on only one side that opened outward. These days, yes, it's probably some fancy kind of thing, but ours was not. We bought it back in 1995, and it was old when we got it.

Tonya said...

Wow, that is some crazy coincidence! I have had experiences where church members have just happened to be where I am in a time of need. I definitely see the tender mercies in your experience. I'm glad that Zan is safe and hopefully the Suburban won't need to be totalled.

Darilyn said...

That is crazy coincidence stuff. I'm glad that you were okay in that accident.

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