Life Extended, in the Blink of an Eye
It was intended to be a week of frivolity leading up to a most auspicious occasion.
I left Indiana Friday morning the 11th heading home for a long week culminating in the wedding of our oldest daughter.
We had plans for the big game that night, for our team a �must win� to clinch a playoff berth. The rest of the days would be lackadaisical until the Thursday prior to the big day when dinners and hair dressers would fill the hours.
But then � as I�ve found so many times in life � the best-laid plans can blow up in an instant.
Twenty-five miles from reaching my destination, a car turned left in front of me. I had nowhere to go but either into oncoming traffic or into the turning vehicle. I chose the latter and heard the sickening sound of exploding metal and air bags deploying upon impact.
I was removed from my smoking car to a grassy spot out of danger where we waited for EMTs and police officers.
Miraculously, no one was severely injured. The same could not be said for my car. Still in the shop today awaiting a decision with damages already in the five-digit range, it did its job. The air bag hurt and caused some hefty contusions and bruises, but a much better alternative than headfirst into the windshield. The seat belt, which locked in place from the force, left a nasty burn but also performed as needed. I pulled some tendons in my legs slamming on the brakes and am still getting around slowly, but the important point is I�m here.
Your life really does flash before you in a situation such as this.
I could only think of how cheated I
would be if I never saw my son throw another touchdown pass, didn�t witness my husband walk our daughter down the isle or hold my first granddaughter.
And then, when I was sitting on that grassy knoll with the sun beating on my face, I realized how truly fortunate I was.
Once home and rested, I decided to go to the football game.
It was Parents Night and I wanted to be there to walk across the field with my player. As we rose to go, I reminded him that he needed to take it even slower than normal as I wasn�t moving too well.
We made it and that kiss on the cheek made it all worthwhile.
We went to the locker room at halftime leading 12-7. It�d been a rough half and my son had suffered his share of sacks. Nothing happened in the third quarter. Eight minutes into the last one, a running back on the other team broke free and scored. The extra point made it 13-12, but we had plenty of time to score again.
It never happened.
We just couldn�t pull it together.
On the second-to-last play of the game, I saw Ross take a hit that shook me to my very core. He got up � and, with seconds to go � threw a Hail Mary pass right into the waiting arms of the opposing defense.
And that was the game.
Over on the sidelines, my son was out cold.
The emergency squad was called and off to the hospital they went.
After several hours, various X-rays and a CAT scan it was determined that he�d sustained a pretty significant concussion. He had no recollection of the last play when he threw the interception. He didn�t remember throwing the ball or coming off the field. He only remembered the ambulance ride.
After much debate and more doctors� visits it was decided that he would not play the next game.
A smart decision, but a hard one for a 16-year-old to understand.
The wedding took place last Saturday as planned. The weather cooperated and they said I do outside in a lovely gazebo just as the sun was setting.
At the reception, as I watched our son dance with his now-married sister, I thought about how very lucky I was.
I will see the QB throw another ball tonight.
I did see my husband walk that beautiful creature down the isle and I�ll be around when that little one comes into the world in a few months.
Life is short.
But, in a blink of an eye, mine became infinitely longer.
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