A close call

I suppose I should record this here too. Crazy that the thought just barely occurred to me. It's been a rather eventful weekend.

Thursday 11/8/12
Sam left for work about quarter after 7. Since it has turned quite chilly in the mornings he's been riding the bus with his bike in the morning then riding his bike home when it's warmer outside. Since we have no car he has also been stopping at the store more often than not to bring home whatever he can carry on his bike - usually milk.

When Sam called around 8:30 I was surprised that he was calling so early. He told me, "I just wanted you to know that I got to work safe." I said, "I'm glad to hear that. What happened on your way to work?" He said, "Oh nothing. I just wanted you to know I was safe." I knew something was up since he NEVER calls to tell me he's safe when he gets to work. Finally he admitted that something had happened on his way to work. He was up on 19th street waiting for the bus. It's a 45 mph road and quite busy. His bike was sitting against the sign for the bus and he was standing just behind it. Almost out of nowhere a purple PT Cruiser came flying at him. Sam jumped back. The Cruiser lost it's side mirror to the bus sign. Sam's bike got hit. The driver took off. A guy at the gas station behind the bus stop saw the whole thing happen, jumped in his car, took off after the Cruiser, got his license plate number and called it in to police.

 The driver of the Cruiser was arrested shortly afterwards. He was charged with a DUI and fleeing the scene of the accident. Sam ended up talking with the police officer long enough that he missed the 7:25 bus and had to wait till the 7:55 bus which he caught and got to work unharmed. His bike wasn't rideable. He planned to ride the bus home that night. He keeps his bike in his office at work and it was quite the conversation piece that day. Someone at work gave him a ride home - including a stop at the store.

I can't tell you what a relief it was to see Sam walk through the door that night. It's one thing to hear that someone is ok. It's another to see that they are ok yourself. Somehow Sam managed to not only not get hit but not to have any damage done to his person. His elbow was hurting a little when I talked to him on the phone - but by the time he got home he couldn't even remember which elbow it had been. No bruises - no cuts - no scrapes. When I think of it happening I can't even figure out how he didn't get hit. It must have been divine intervention.

I'm so glad we had morning prayers that day. So glad we prayed for safety and for the Spirit and that we would listen to the promptings of the Spirit. I'm so thankful for the driver who took off after the Cruiser. I wish I had a way to thank him. We've had hit and run issues before but never has anyone taken off after them. I don't know how long that guy ended up talking to police that day - but I'll consider him a 17 second miracle. He changed my life by his selfless act and his quick thinking. And more than anything, I'm grateful that our family is sealed in the temple. That even if we had lost Sam in this accident that we could have him again some day. I know it wouldn't make it easier to lose him - but it would be a comfort. I'm so glad we have the gospel.

The Seventeen Second Miracle

Have you ever read this book? My mom sent it to me to read and I finished it this evening. I think my life may have been changed.

You know how there are some good books, and some great books, and some books that leave you feeling like your life will never be the same (in a very good way)? This book had all those elements in it.

The basic premise of the book is about serving others - for 17 seconds. Because 17 seconds isn't that long. And there are always people who could use a listening ear, a friend, a ride somewhere...the list goes on and on.

The man in the book kept a journal. Each day he would write about at least one thing that someone else did for him. Sometimes it was as simple as: So-and-so stopped me in the parking lot at school today. She said she liked my poem. I don't think she's ever talked to me, but she did today.

I loved this book. It was so clean too. I think there was one swear word in the whole book - and I felt it was pretty well placed - do you know what I mean? I wouldn't have said it - but it wasn't put in the book just so there would be a swear word in there. It fit the conversation/mood/etc.

If you haven't read it yet - I think you should. I think everyone should read a book like this, and since this is the most recent one I've read - I'm recommending it. It might change your life forever. And you might always think of 17 second miracles forever.


And here's my 17 second miracle for the day...

This evening was a little crazy - but not terribly. It was a long day though, mostly filled with doing laundry. Sam got home shortly before dinner and got the kids all working on a "clutter buster" (aka - set the timer and see how much can be picked up/cleaned up before the timer goes off) and it really made my day. The little boys scattered quite a few things around today - and I hadn't gotten around to getting it all picked up. And with the microwave dead it's sometimes hard to get everything warm but not burned at the same time - and so right before dinner is kind of crazy. But to get dinner on and find the living room beautifully clean and the garbage emptied - it totally made my day. Thanks Sam - and all the kids. You are my 17 minute miracle today.