I fell back asleep for about 20 minutest when I was woken up by a phone call from my mom. I knew the second that I answered my phone that something was wrong. I felt it in my gut. My mom confirmed this feeling by telling me that there was an accident and everyone was greatly hurt.
Over the next few hours we got many different stories of what was going on and what was going to happen to my family. In the end we found out that Carl had a cracked sternum and two broken ribs. Jen had a broken wrist and foot, and was being taken into surgery to take care of some perforated bowels.It turns out that there were five major rips in her bowels, her intestines were ripped in half. She will have a scar that runs from her belly button to her sternum. Dave was having severe pain in his neck, and back. Later the doctor decided to take him in for the same surgery that Jen had; most of the rips in his bowels were small with lots of bruising. He will have scar to match Jen's.
The doctors and nurses keep saying what a miracle it is that all three of them survived. Especially Jen, she took the brunt of everything.
The cause of the accident was the right front tire. I am told the bearings in the tire seized and the tire fell off. When you combined that with a truck going 70+ MPH it truly is amazing that I still have three of the most important people in my life here.
The recovery time for all of them will be long and hard. Jen and Dave wont be able to eat like normal for at least three months. Carl has a long and painful healing process to go through. But I know they will all make a full recovery.
This weekend made me wake up a little bit and recognize what a blessing it is to have the family that I do. I only have one sister, she is my best friend. There are things that the two of us have gone through together that no one else in this world could understand. Carl has been there for me through some very hard times, he took care of me until Randy came into my life; he still takes care of me in some ways. And my sweet "little" brother means the world to me. I can tell him things that only he will understand. He is my biggest fan, he always tells me I can do anything I want to do. I am so grateful I still have them in my life.
The small little things in life that tend to get in the way what it really means to be a family dont matter. I know that I am guilty of being wrapped up in myself and what is going on with me. I am constantly looking forward to a future date. I dont appreciate the time I spend with mine and Randy's family. This past weekend made me realize I need to change this. I need to take the time to appreciate my family. In the end they are all we have in this world.
I am challenging myself and everyone else to take the time to call your siblings and parents in the next day or two and tell them how much you love them. What they mean to you and how grateful you are to have them in your life. Because you never know when you will say your last I love you.
Jen, Carl, Dave; I love you. I am so grateful you are in my life. You mean everything to me and I am so glad you will all be alright. Please work hard at getting better and taking care of yourselves. Your little niece needs all three of you in her life!