December 30, 2009

Rear view

Ever witness an accident in your rear view mirror?
I did last night.

The worst part was knowing the car being hit and forced off the road was my husband's; the person I love most in this world.

I think my heart literally stopped.

I was in Bend for a meeting. Mark called and suggested I meet him at work afterwards so we could follow each other home (30 miles). He was worried about me driving in the snow. He was right to worry. I slid into an intersection on a side street on the way...couldn't stop at the stop sign. Luckily, nothing happened. I told Mark I thought we'd be fine once we got off the side streets onto the highway.

Five miles out of town, poking along about 35 miles an hour with the rest of traffic. The roads are snowy and icy. It is dark. No street lights on this highway. I see headlights pull out behind Mark and move into the fast lane. In the rear view mirror, I watch the car lose control and start sliding. Eyes forward momentarily. Eyes back. The car hits my husband's and both cars spin and slide off the road. Eyes forward. Trying not to panic, trying to find somewhere to pull over. I finally get off the road about 1/3 of a mile up, and start hiking back. The snow along side the road is half-way up my calves. It is slick. I can see both cars, and a pick up off the road, along with flashing lights. A policeman was a couple cars back. The combination of police lights and oncoming headlights keep me from spotting my husband until I am right there. He's fine. But the tears start as soon as I see him. He's fine.

Mark works for the Oregon Department of Transportation in the Heavy Equipment Shop. His job is to keep equipment like snow plows and de-icers running so other people can travel safely. He left for work this morning at 5:15 am. It is 15 degrees outside. I can't quite breathe.

23 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh my. I'm glad he's fine.

The snow in MN was nuts too.... I just think how unsafe driving is... and want to stay home all the time. But, then I'd never leave.

Hopefully the insurance and everything get situated easily!

A Wild Thing said...

OMG...how freaky was that!!! So glad he's OK and you've recovered from the shock!
We too deal with the yayhoos all the time, that think they can drive on the snow.

We're getting the Texas snows as we speak...I'm gonna have ta talk to them girls down there!!!

Barn House said...

Yikes! So glad to hear that you both are OK!!

Victoria said...

A terrifying moment which I am sure is burned permanently into your memory. Thank goodness he is alright. Just reading this and knowing what could have been, has me holding my breath in fright. May all of your combined miles forever more be safe and sound. xo

Helen said...

Hello there!

As soon as the snow began I got myself together and drove to the Safeway on Century Drive ... I knew if I waited (my car is small) I would never make it there/back. Just minutes into the heavy snow driving was extremely difficult. I cannot imagine how terrified you must have been to watch as your husband's car was hit. Thank goodness no one was hurt. Now, more snow is on the way ... so do be careful AND thank Mark for being one of the good guys who keep our heavy equipment in good working condition .. we need him.

Unknown said...

Terrifying! I am so glad he's okay.

Anonymous said...

Oh gosh! I'm so glad he's okay! Hot terrifying to have seen the whole thing in your mirror!

Take care miss, and be safe.

Carla said...

Thank goodness Mark is not hurt! To witness an accident with your husband involved gives you one of those life-flashing-before-your-eyes moments and a clear vision of who is most important in your life. Breathe deeply, Charmaine.

Grizzly Mountain Arts said...

Charmaine, I am so glad that Mark is fine! Having been in an accident, I know exactly how you're feeling! Even if you weren't seriously injured your mind starts playing all of the "what if's" over and over. Time will make it all better :)

littlebyrd said...

That must have been so scary...I am glad both you and Mark are ok - be safe.

Amanda at 32˙North said...

Thank God he's OK! I can't even imagine how scary that would be.

T.Allen said...

I can only imagine the fear you experienced...*Deep sigh of relief* I'm very happy he is okay...and you too! {hugs}

Golden West said...

So glad to hear you are both all right. A scary reminder of how our lives can be irrevocably altered in the blink of an eye and why we should never postpone happiness.

shopping monkey said...

Phew. I can't imagine anything scarier. I'll breathe for you, if it helps. So glad everyone is okay! I'm thinking of inventing something you could spray out the window when one of those hoo-haws thinks it's okay to pass like that. Nothing dangerous; maybe a silly string material that splats onto their windshield... spells out "You're an idiot!" Or something.

High Desert Diva said...

Thanks Jan!
The thought of that actually made me smile.

Debra said...

Heart be still-Thank God you are both o.k.- how awful for you to see this and feel so helpless for a few minutes. A gift I tell you.

Rose said...

The accident must have been so terrifying for your husband but for you to witness it as well...gosh, I would have lost it completely.

Thank God, your husband is o.k. and you both got home safe. A car is a piece of metal that can be fixed or replaced.

I remember driving in such conditions when I lived in Boston, MA but I've been in sunny Florida now for the past 20 years. I do miss the snow but not the icey roads and situations that you just recently experienced.

Happy New Year!

Hugs, Rose

La Petite Gallery said...

GLAD YOU ARE SAFE
HAPPY NEW YEAR

YVONNR

Faded Charm said...

Sounds like a crazy ride. I'm so glad everyone was okay. Drive carefully and take care over there.

Happy 2010!

Kathleen

Tess Kincaid said...

Oh, that's so scary. I'm relieved to hear Mark's okay!!!

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

Oh no! That is scary. Hugs and wishes that things get fixed fast, that there's no aftermath aches and that you can put the imagery behind you...

Unknown said...

that feeling you get when a loved one's in danger is like no other.

thank goodness only the car took the physical damage.

Unknown said...

I can't believe I didn't comment when reading this before. It is the very reason I never drive in snow. People call me paranoid or crazy for having grown up where I did but I am all about safety first. SOOOOOO glad Mark and you (and everyone else for that matter) are ok. Stay safe and warm out there ♥