A Close Call...

Mom and I had a very close call this week. I took her to St. Anthony, Idaho which is about 3 hours from here to see where she and dad wanted to have their ashes spread. It is in a place called "Hog Hollow". Both my parents grew up there and mom shared many fond memories with us of her childhood in the early nineteen hundreds. My two brothers, my two aunts and my two uncles (who are like my second parents) went with us. When we got out of the car at my aunts house I knew we were at the right place because of the wonderful smell of homemade bread. Hog Hollow is a beautiful place where my dad duck hunted, my parents spent a lot of time, where both their parents had homesteaded and where there is a beautiful view of the Grand Teton mountains. It has changed with development, but not too much for mom to remember land marks. It all made me realize how fast life goes and how special times with family are. It was truly a memorable day! I even got to see two of my cousins that I was fortunate enough to spend many fun days with when I was small. We had some good laughs!

On the way there, though, I received a phone call from Chris saying Jess had not opened his eyes since we had left the house that morning. Brandie had called him from school. I wanted to turn around but he said he was going to take him to the doctor and would call as soon as he knew something. Of course, your mind wanders to the most awful places...had he gone back into a coma?? No, he had an eye infection. He is much better now. It is always so frightening because Jess cannot tell us what is wrong or where it hurts.

On the way home, we were following a pilot car and a wide semi truck with a large flatbed trailer on the back carrying some kind of large machine on it. We were going through the lava beds at over 60 miles an hour when all of a sudden I heard a sound like a shotgun had gone off in our car and large pieces of debris were flying right towards our windshield. I swerved to keep a huge section of rubber from hitting us and realized we were headed into the lava beds so turned the wheel back and felt the car bounce back on the wheels. My little Toyota Corolla had come off the ground, scraped the front bumper on the ground, wore off part of my tire and landed back on the ground. All of this happened in a second. I drove 20 miles an hour for 10 miles in shock that we were still alive. I know now what terror Jess was going through in the car he was in, but unfortunately he was not as lucky as mom and I. I realize now that the only thing that saved us is the (click here for info) ESC - electronic stability control that is on my car. Paula (from People Safe in Rollovers) informed me that all cars manufactured will be required to have that on their cars soon. Thank goodness!

The Cleveland Clinic called to verify they had received Jess medical records and that the team of doctors would be reviewing them and we will hear from them soon.

I also want to mention that Curtie's mom, Linda, had some very serious surgery and is doing well. Please send some good thoughts and prayers her way for a quick healing and safe trip home. We send our love your way, Linda!

Thank you everyone for your comments. It is good to hear feedback. I have not gotten another hug from Jess but he has given his dad and I a few cherished smiles. We continue to wonder, wait and try to find the good things in each day.