My wife, my two youngest kids and I were returning from a family function last Sunday evening. We had been with our other two kids, my Mum and a heap of our extended family to say bon voyage to my sister and her husband as they embark on an overseas holiday. It was a really nice afternoon. It was nearly our last.
When I say nearly, it was give or take a metre or so. We were sitting at the lights, waiting to turn right, when an out of control car, moving at high speed came up behind us and at the last minute, swerved, mounted the median strip, took out signs, crossed to the wrong side of the road and continued though a red light. No brake lights. Accelerating. It then collided with three or four other vehicles. Medical incident? Drugs? We still don’t know.
I dialled for emergency services. We moved our car to a safe spot. I went to see if I could provide assistance. Melissa stayed with the kids. No one was killed. I have no idea how. It is hard to describe how we felt at the time and how we feel now. It could have been all over in the blink of an eye.
I don’t write this to be self indulgent or seek sympathy or attention. I realise this stuff happens everyday to many others. What hit me like a sledge hammer to the chest was, what if? What if we got hit? My overwhelming feeling is we have so much to be grateful for, yet we get caught up in such meaningless stuff.
Be grateful for what you have. Hug your family. Be your best.