Car Accident Serves as a Reminder: Life is Fragile

Last Thursday afternoon, my colleague and I were involved in a freak car accident - one in which we could have easily been killed or seriously injured. 

Amazingly, we escaped the accident with only minor aches and pains, and the driver of the other vehicle was completely unhurt.  

Here's what happened: 

My colleague and I were returning from an out-of-town meeting, driving on a narrow, elevated expressway near downtown Toronto in sunny, dry conditions.  We were in the right-hand lane, nearing our exit, when suddenly a very large dump truck smashed into the driver's side of our car.  Within seconds, our car was spun around in front of the dump truck as it continued hurtling down the highway.  We were being pushed sideways down the expressway, with the nose of the dump truck embedded in our driver's side door.  

Many possibilities ran through my head.  Among other things, I thought, "We're going to be spun around into the fast lane and be hit by another oncoming vehicle", or "our tires are going to blow and the car will roll again and again down the highway", or "we're going to be smashed into the concrete barrier and possibly crushed or at least seriously injured by this large truck".  Other thoughts raced through my mind.  First to come to mind was my wife, followed by my parents, my brothers and their families, other relatives, my friends and colleagues, my staff. 

My colleague maintained alertness throughout it all, holding onto the steering wheel and, I think, trying to return our car to its proper lane and direction.  Apparently all of this was happening without the dump truck driver's awareness.  We were in his blind spot when he switched lanes, and apparently he was even unable to see us when our car was being pushed sideways down the highway by his truck.  His only clue was the screeching tires and the smell of burning rubber.  Our guess is that when he applied his brakes, we were released from the front of his truck.  Our car spun around, back into the right lane of the highway, and amazingly was facing the direction we were originally headed in.  Our next fear was that we would be rear-ended by a vehicle approaching at speed from behind us.  Luckily, the drivers nearby had seen all of this happening and had slowed down by then.  

Before we knew it, a tow truck was on the scene, as were the police.  We knew we were safe.

With my colleague's permission, I am sharing this story with you.

Why?  Mainly because I know that from time to time I have been "tuned in" to what's really important in life by other people's close calls - or worse - other people's tragedies.  My hope is that maybe one of you will benefit in this way.  Writing also helps me remember how fortunate we were that day, and give thanks once again for the simple ability to type this message.  

So, call a loved one and go spend some quality time with them.  Or, forgive someone for something you've been holding against them. 

Life is short, and can be taken from us at any time.  Enjoy the journey.  Take time to appreciate the hundreds of little pleasures available to us every day.  I've just had another reminder of why this is important - may you, too, be reminded from time to time - hopefully in gentle ways.