Tuesday, December 11, 2012

A not so noble steed

Do penguins have lips?  This is a question I found myself pondering Saturday night while driving home from a date with my husband.  I don't think they do, but the penguin toy we bought for our dog while out together seems to.  He is really cute (our dog, the toy and my husband.)  We haven't bought either of our girls any Christmas presents yet, but Ben (the dog) is set.

Do I call the police or a tow truck?  This is an entirely different question I found myself pondering Sunday afternoon while lodged in an off ramp embankment.  Apparently, if you call the police (or let the angel-of-a-chick truck driver who saw the whole thing call them for you) they call a tow truck.  I had never been in an accident before.  It's hardly a bucket list kind of thing, but I suppose I can now check it off for 2012.

I'm not completely certain what happened.  I know the weather was to blame.  I know I closed my eyes right before the car hit the guard rail.  I know I ended up trunk deep in damp grassy knoll.  The rest can somewhat be pieced together by the iPhone footage I had the "presence of mind" (read "wonky adrenaline laden brain") to capture before I even thought to call my husband.  Brilliant. Thankfully, Carissa, the aforementioned truck driver, was kind enough to pull over and help guide me through the remaining process.  

A police officer also arrived on the scene before too long.  As she ambled closer and closer to the car I felt instant relief, not because I knew she could help, but because I became absolutely certain that she was, indeed, a woman.  Never underestimate the power of ascertaining someone's gender.  It really ups the comfort level in these types of situations. 

I should mention that my 3-year-old was with me when all of this occurred.  She, unlike me, stayed calm the entire time, simply noting that despite having to hold on to her car seat very tight her tiara didn't even fall off.  Thankfully, a great friend was able to come by and take her to the birthday party we had been attempting to attend in the first place.  I am grateful her little world kept turning without missing too many beats.

I was also grateful that I got to attend the princess party (the car was towed out of the ditch, but remained drivable) because it meant I was greeted with warm coffee, a huge piece of chocolate cake and smiling faces.  Of course, it also meant I cried all over again as my nerves defrosted off of me and landed in the arms of my friends, moms and dads like me, who just want to get through the day in one piece.

And, somehow, we always do.

18 comments:

  1. I wouldn't have known who to call, either. Probably my husband because he knows those types of things. I'm glad to hear you and your daughter came out of that unscathed.

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    1. Thanks! I was lucky to have good help stop and know good friends in the area.

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  2. What is Ben getting for Christmas?

    Glad you're all okay.

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    1. Ben is getting his typical squeaker toy to demolish. This year it is a penguin with diva lips.

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    1. Thanks! It was an adventure I did not expect. That is for sure.

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  4. Oh no! I ran off the road into a ditch when I was in high school. Police, my dad, and a tow truck were all involved. Glad everyone is okay!

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  5. Yikes--scary enough if you're alone in the car when something like that happens, but having such precious cargo with you must've been horrifying. So glad you're okay, and that there really are kind-hearted truck-driving Carissas out there.

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  6. So glad you're OK and that your daughter wasn't traumatized!

    I don't think penguins have lips, though.

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  7. Car accidents are the scariest, glad you and your daughter were both ok. Also glad that you were greeted at the party with a huge piece of chocolate cake. I really love the way you started with a silly question, but then transitioned to a far more serious one. It completely changes the tone of this post and makes it a really interesting read.

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  8. Samantha, I appreciate the feedback on my writing. I want nothing but to improve. Please let me know what you think any time. And, yes, even though I am more of a savory snacker, chocolate cake can work wonders!

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  9. I'm so glad you were ok! So far, I've only been rear ended but even that sucked. I'm glad you got to have some cake and comfort afterwards too. And, loved the comment about your daughter's tiara not falling off :)

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    1. She's a hoot...when she's not driving me crazy :)

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  10. Hurray for tiaras and chocolate cake! I'm glad everyone is okay. An experience like that does shake you up!

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  11. What a terrifying experience! So relieved to know you are both OK and that your sweet girl's tiara remained in place.

    Cheers to Carissa the trucker, a real hero!

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  12. Traffic accidents are surreal aren't they? I'm glad everything was okay.

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  13. How horrifying. Glad you're OK. And also that you had some coffee, cake and friends to lean on just after it happened. That was my favorite bit about your post!

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  14. Car accidents are always scary! I'm glad you and your daughter are ok.

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