Finding it difficult to get much done today, mind constantly drifting back to yesterday's encounter.
There are some sounds you hope to never hear in life, the sound of someone's life potentially being altered forever.
I've heard this sound twice now.
The fist time it started with a loud crack and then the ground shook a few times before all was still.
Yesterday it was a screech, followed by the snap and crunch of metal and plastic and a large crash of metal on pavement.
Both
times I've heard these unnatural noises I've felt myself instantly
engulfed in a blanket of dread... was I about to encounter a dead body?
Miraculously
the first accident, a jeep taking the turn too quickly, over
compensating and then taking out the neighbour's 30 year maple and about
75% of a forsythia before rolling across our property and settling,
upside down, just between ours and the neighbour's wells.
As
I approached I could hear the sound of liquid pouring out from the
vehicle, relieved when I saw it was house paint and booze. I momentarily
had visions of the whole thing exploding like in the movies, luckily my
train of thought was interrupted by a shoe-less man emerging from the
vehicle. After asking if he was ok and letting him know that Bryan was
inside calling 911 he promptly started rooting around the vehicle,
collected what looked like some rum and beer and then he took off down
the road in his sock feet. I tried to follow his direction but it wasn't
long before the giant emblem of the Zig Zag man printed on the back of
his hoodie disappeared into the darkness.
Yesterday while
visiting with Darren Porter, collecting research on the species that
inhabit the Avon River for a new exhibit at the museum, we heard that
tell tale sound again. One wrong move and your life is forever altered .
One moment of poor judgement that you can never take back.
As
I stood up and looked out the window I saw what I expected to be a dead
body. As I walked out I approached very slowly, as I got closer I
became aware that my hands were folded in prayer, which is odd for me as
I've not had religion like that in my life, but I believe the instinct
must be in my DNA.
There were two people on the bike, the man
quickly indicated his leg was broken, then finally I heard the most
relieving words, "oh baby" coming from the woman who was face down on
the shoulder of the road, twisted, bruised and bleeding.
Further
relief arrived a moment later when a man came running letting us know
that he had first aid. He asked all the right questions and promptly
whipped off his shirt to address her bleeding leg. Moments later friends
of the victims arrived to provide comfort and support and a few minutes
later a nurse emerged. Within 15 minutes the ambulance was there and
from what I've heard the couple will survive if the surgeries are
successful.
After witnessing something like you can't help
but think of how quickly your life can be ripped from you. Miraculously
these people will most likely survive, but they'll never be the same.
The gentleman's daughter has started a campaign on kick starter to help
cover the costs of lost wages and bills.
As we
returned home Bryan and I couldn't help but think about how quickly your
life could change and the long lasting effects it could have.
I dreamnt about car crashes all night; Bryan is considering selling his bike.
Although we were just witnesses on the peripheral, this accident has left a scar.
My
mind keeps going to those who rushed in to provide support; the trained
people who deal with situations like this on a regular basis, what
strength they must have.
Today I'm grateful for all the
near misses we've encountered on the road, be it animals or other
vehicles. Never assume that the other drivers on the road are going to
make the move you'd expect them too. Make sure to leave everyone lots of
space, and for heaven's sake, don't speed. It's just not necessary.
