I was driving the kids to the library and hit a parked car. Because I was getting them a stupid mum-mum cracker. And the cracker was broken into 3 pieces. And I was taking just a split second too long staring at the pieces and trying to decide how to dole them out to the kids.
And then I looked up just in time to see the un-moving car right in front of us. I slammed on the brakes in disbelief but it was too late. CRASH! I think my hands were still gripping that damned rice cracker.
Thankfully the kids were fine. I thought I had a broken hand bone but the x-ray revealed only a bad sprain. But still the aftermath was/is not at all fun.
Mentally, emotionally, of course I berated myself endlessly, playing the 10 second clip of the accident in my head on loop. If only. If only. If only. If only I wasn't so dumb. Forget alcohol, mum-mums and driving don't mix. Friends don't let friends pass out snacks in the car while driving down a winding steep hill. Argh.
Physically, I was handicapped for the next 3-4 days. I couldn't use my left hand at all. No dishes, no diaper changes, no cooking--I wasn't even able to floss myself!
And of course the biggest hit was financial. Now we have to dole out a pretty penny for a new used car.
But strangely, there is another kind of sadness. I realized I just really loved our old car. Our good ol' tiny compact car that we bought from 2 Ukrainian mafiosos in Sacramento with no legit business papers and despite the salvaged title. We got such a ridiculously good deal on it (hello giant assumed risks) and it had served us so well for the last 5 years.
I never knew I could get so attached to an inanimate object. I think I need to name it and say a proper good-bye. So here goes.
Good-bye Ol' Blue (cuz it was blue). We hardly knew ya'. Our time was cut too short. With only 87,000 miles on you, we thought for sure you'd be Judah's first car one day. You saw us through the happiest moments of our lives--driving home our newborn babes. (I can't believe I actually feel on the verge of crying as I type this). You were dependable and reliable. Isn't that what we call a friend?
Say hello to all our old previous 4-wheeled carriages who are now resting in a better mechanical universe:
Gray (the gray Buick)
Forest (the forest green LeSabre)
and Tori (the gray Taurus)
Love, Your last owners.
5 comments:
This made me sad. Hope you and the kids are okay, Christina!
I'm so sorry! Earlier this year I ran a red light and hit a van with my kids in the car. Stupidest thing was that I was totally looking right at the road and the light. My mind was just not there. So don't beat yourself up. Things happen. You can let your mind slip anytime- cracker or no cracker.
As a former personal injury lawyer, I can tell you that car accidents are so insanely common (probably won't help but I'm trying).
So glad the kids were safe but so very sorry for your hand :(
Awww, I'm sorry, Christina. Glad you and the kids are okay, but sorry to hear about your hand.
I know how you feel. My 12 year old Toyota Solara stopped starting regularly on me last year. I took it to several mechanics, but no one was able to figure out the cause of the problem. I ultimately traded it in in for a major upgrade but I was teary all the way home from the dealership and referred to the new car as an "imposter" for the first couple of weeks.
It does get better - now I like the new car, and have some good memories associated with it as well.
Thanks CP, it does make me feel better to know i'm in good company...but makes me feel less safe on the road!
Tam--thanks for sharing about your old Solara. i love that you called the new car an 'imposter' ha ha ha. this is why you are so awesome.
I'm sorry you had to go through such a shocking experience. I'm glad all of you are fine, except for the car, of course. How's your sprain? It was very fortunate that none of you sustained heavy injuries because judging from the photos you shared, it was quite an impact. Stay safe!
Robert Kelleher
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