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Sunday, March 06, 2016

Awash in a Sea of Gratitude



While tides of despair tug me to and fro.

There was a terrible accident Friday morning. Ralph had just left to take Becky to work when the fire whistles began to wail and we could hear sirens, many, many sirens. I always worry when I hear them, especially when loved ones are out and about.

And then the phone rang and everything as we knew it changed. Someone had crossed into oncoming traffic and although Ralph evaded as best he could, there are guard rails and there were other cars....nowhere to go

He was coming home to cut wood, meet a hay customer, and work on the floor so we could get a new washing machine. The laundry was piling up. Still is, as far as that goes.

Instantly none of that mattered any more. I thought Becky was with him and was incoherently begging the man who called to tell me if she was all right. Thank God he had already dropped her off. Thank God Jade just happened to have come home from work early. He raced down....this happened maybe two-tenths of a mile from the house. He helped get the boss out of the car, which was jammed and mangled and steaming and smoking.

He got them to let me walk down to be there and got me into the ambulance for the ride, and he and Liz ran crazy getting phone calls made and Becky home and hay customers fended, fires tended, and all that stuff. And for Scott and Jen who came and held my hand which unexpectedly needed it. I am tough, but not that tough.

Alan raced home from NY as did my brother. Everyone, everyone, rallied around and was good to us in more ways than I could list. Yesterday the kids cut wood, and car shopped, and brought food home and tended and cared for everything. And cleaned house too, because there will be people who need to come here and we are an untidy lot, with so many things to do that are more interesting than sweeping and dusting.

Thank you to all of them and to anyone I forgot. We know we have good friends and the best family any one could ask for, and we celebrate them and are grateful every day. However, something like this is a strong, if harsh, reminder of just exactly how fortunate we are.

Ralph also wants to thank the many kind friends and strangers who offered help and strength and comfort and so do I. Neighbors on the fire company who called family to come. EMTs who were gentle and good drivers and so kind. The sweet doctor at the hospital who kept coming in and out of the room exclaiming, "You are a lucky, lucky man."

And nurses, row upon row, who did what nurses do. The police investigator who called after it ended and offered much needed words of kindness and comfort. He was so gentle, and I so needed gentleness. Friends who called and texted and offered to do anything they could to help. So many good people....so much better than the network news would make you think.

So thank you all, and thank you kids and step kids and in-law kids....all good kids, good people, whom I am grateful to know and love......and be loved by too....you guys are the best. 

Prayers for the family of the other gentleman. In time perhaps we will know why and how but for now, just prayers from the heart.

Ralph is home, and can get around with a walker, a far cry from the man who makes hay and firewood and does all our driving, but he is here. That is all anyone could ask for.

Today is Peggy's two birthday, as we call them around here. I am thankful for her other grandma and grandpa, who will be making it a big day for her, and for Aunt Becky, who already made sure she is well supplied with Paw Patrol fun. The best we have to offer is her Pa Pa, who is still here to get hugs and put Nickelodeon on his TV when she comes out to see him.




20 comments:

joated said...

Thoughts and prayers go out to Ralph and you. Wishing for a complete and speedy recovery for the Boss. It could have been so much worse.

And a Happy Birthday to Miss Peggy!

Shirley said...

Sending prayers for Ralph's recovery and strength for you. God bless you all.

Jan said...

Healing thoughts and prayers from us and happy two birthday to Peggy.

Earl said...

Very unexpected, living like everything is normal just on hold, then everything stops and God says 'need a little help' and one can look at it all fresh. Will pray the walker doesn't become permanent, they do ask for more space - but they help with remaining mobile and vertical. God bless your friends, family and the strangers that helped.

Sandcastle Momma said...

What a horrifying day! I'm so glad the Boss is ok and that Peggy wasn't in the car. Sending all of you lots of hugs and prayers!!

tryon1@frontiernet.net said...

Love you all so much. So glad it wasn't a lot worse. I am like the Doctor thinking you are all very lucky. God was with you. Love, Mom

Rev. Paul said...

I thank God that the Boss is okay, if a bit banged up. Prayers going up for all of you, for that matter.

TenMile said...

Not good, but very good, considering. Best to you, threecollie, and family.

Cathy said...

I'm crying . . . Oh my . . oh my . . If only we were nearby . .
God bless you all.
I know friends and family will rally around your great hearts to get you and Ralph through this.
Prayers, love and hugs.

Linda said...

Praying from here to. Hope Ralph recovers quickly.

Unknown said...

Prayers,prayers and more prayers for your family! Thank God the angels were watching over Ralph that day, please let him know I am thinking of him!

Terry and Linda said...

OH! MY GOODNESS!!! I am so glad he is alive and home! But still...what a terrible time. Is there anything possibly I could do for you? Please email me and let me know.

Happy Birthday Peggy!

Linda

NumberWise said...

What a frightening accident! I'm guessing that Ralph must be discovering many bruises and discomforts as the healing starts, and I'm sure you all are feeling wrung out after all the emotional trauma. Yes, your family is the best.

How generous of you to be thoughtful about Peggy's Two Birthday amidst all this! Your blogs and photos of her have brightened our lives over the past two years.

Remember to care for the caregiver.

threecollie said...

Thank you all for your kind words and comfort. He is mending....thanks again

Throwback at Trapper Creek said...

Oh Dear! Sending healing thoughts your way! I was on pins and needles reading this :(

Happy Birthday to the littlest farmer at Northview!

Jacqueline Donnelly said...

Just catching up with your blog and I was horrified to read of your family's ordeal. Thinking of you and hoping Ralph is well on the way to mending. How quickly life can change, but how glad I am that in time all will be well with you.

ellie k said...

So glad to know the Boss and Becky are ok, good that he had already dropped her off at work, young ladies are not as tough as old boss men,:) he will be very sore I imagine for a few days. Baby him and make him think he is the only man that has ever hurt like this. Just thankful the God was looking out for him.

threecollie said...

Nita, thanks, it has been something

Jacqueline, thanks for your kind words. You are so right that things change so quickly. Seconds....just seconds....

Eille, I have been, although he will only take just so much pampering before he feels like it is just not right. He came out to the stove with me this morning....I told him absolutely no touching the wood, but he held the flashlight for me. It was about all he wanted to take on and he came back to the house pretty slowly. We are all very thankful and so glad poor Becky wasn't with him.

Rita B Caldwell said...

2 birthday wishes to little one! Aren't we all so grateful our men are so strong and bounce back! I will keep you all in my prayers and pray for a quick recovery. Be strong and keep things simple.
Best of everything, Rita

threecollie said...

Rita, thanks so much. Your kind words mean a lot.