This weekend I was driving home with a friend. Suddenly traffic came to a complete stop. It was late at night and after awhile, people started getting out of their cars and talking to each other.
We checked online to find out a big accident had just occurred in front of us. The atmosphere changed. It grew quiet. There was whispering and the sounds of babies crying and kids getting restless.
People started getting angry as time went on. Ambulances were trying to get through and then a helicopter was looking for somewhere to land.
I was praying for whoever was involved. We then learned it was a car and a tractor trailer and knew it was bad.
Cars began driving on the shoulder, blocking other service vehicles trying to get to the accident. People began yelling at each other.
I was taking it all in. Wondering when we had become so callous and just quietly continued to pray.
After about two hours, traffic began to move. I went to start my car and it was dead. We asked several people for help and they ignored us. I had seen some really bad things...people behaving in ways I couldn't quite believe, but, one special young man offered to help. He was with a friend and they were wonderful and got us on our way. I was so thankful.
And then...we passed the accident scene. I will not ever forget it. The car was pushed up a hill. It didn't even look like a car any longer. I don't think I could even explain it. Two trees were where the driver's seat and back seat were. There was blood everywhere. I couldn't quite get my mind around what I saw and I started to cry...great, big, gulping sobs as the realizations hit. Someone's parent or child was driving home and was now dead. There was no way they could have survived it.
It has affected me to my core and made me realize how precious life is.
It reminded me that most of the stuff we carry around holds no real weight. The little things that we allow to affect us...aren't important.
We have to let go of the things that weigh us down and stop us from leading the lives we should be and embrace the people who fill us up. We should forgive and let others know how we feel. We should do the best we can whenever we can because what really matters are the people we care about and the way we choose to live our lives. What matters is who we are and what we do and how we love. In the end, it’s really all we have.
So, do your best. Find your way in whatever way you can. Live your life and love with all you have and really believe that you are right where you are supposed to be and that you will be ok. Remember what's important and find a way to keep remembering it. We only get this one life...never forget to really live it. <3
