My True Thanksgiving Day

I am sitting in my Lazy Boy at home, chatting with my mother-in-law on the evening before she, Niall and Mojic drive back to SLC. Four hours ago I was sitting in a ditch in the truck after hitting some ice on Whitefish Stage Road. I was on my way to work the night shift at North Valley Hospital. I hit some ice on a short curve, slid, fishtailed a few times. On the last fishtail I ran out of room and rather that turn the wheel and roll the truck into the ditch, I took the ditch head on. Once I was in the ditch there was the small problem of looming fence and trees coming at my front end, so I turned the wheel and got the butt of the truck to take the hit instead of the front end. All in all I took out about 30 feet of vinyl fencing, did very minimal damage to the truck and thanks be to God and my Guardian Angel, no damage to myself.

A van full of teenagers (on their way to church youth group) were behind me and stopped to help me. I had forgotten my cell phone and asked if they had one. All three youths pulled one out. I will never criticize teenagers with cell phones again! One called 911 while the other dialed home so I could talk to Karl. They were terrific and stayed with me until they knew help was on the way. They had no coats on and it was snowing so I sent them on their way.

While I waited for help I prayed in thanksgiving to God that I was OK. I was surprisingly calm. I am calm in a crisis and then I fall apart at an unexpected time later. So I gave thanks and thought about the fact that today I could have met my maker and how very unprepared I suddenly felt to do that. I felt a powerful need to go home and hold my kids and my family.

Many people stopped to check on my while I waited and I thanked God for each of them and prayed for their safety. Karl, Niall and the Highway Patrol showed up at the same time. I phoned the hospital and they did still need me, though at this point I really didn't want to go. The officer dismissed me and Karl and Niall waited for the tow truck to get the truck out of the ditch.

Once I got to the hospital, my great co-workers took care of me. My supervisor asked how I was and at that point I wanted to throw up, cry and have a nap in that order. An OB nurse came over to assume my duties and I was allowed to go home on call. If a labor patient comes in during the night I will have to go back in. But I have had a cup of strong tee, a neck massage from Mojic, which got rid of my tension headache, hugged and kissed my kids about a million times. I have not cried yet but probably will when I say prayers later.

So, today I am truly thankful for my life, a precious gift from God Almighty, giver of all life. I am grateful that He has given me at least another day. I thank God for the old blue van full of teenagers, Karl, Niall, MHP officers, my co-workers Dan, Maureen, Alli, Melissa and Nancy and of course my kids and family.

I pray as winter sets in upon us that you are all safe. Drive carefully and wear those seat belts!