Last Sunday morning Brian left for a full day of labor – his usual Sunday gig working for one of Rick's clients, followed by some chores for his grandma (who in exchange is donating towards his mission trip), followed by a one-time job helping a friend's family pack up for moving. Around 7:00 p.m. he called to tell me he was headed home. At 7:43 he called again, shaking and breathless. He had taken a little (unauthorized) side trip on a gravel road, swerved to miss a deer (while probably going a little too fast), drove up the side of a bank – and landed like this:
When I texted the above photo to my folks, I found out that my step-brother, who lives with them, had fallen asleep that night in his room while warming his legs with a space heater (he has neuropathy from diabetes). When he awoke, he bad burns on his shins but wouldn't go to the ER.
The next day, Monday, my dad compelled my brother to go to the ER, not because of the burns but because there were signs of infection at the site of his recent surgery to repair a broken ankle. That night Brian had a basketball game. I spun an appropriately colored turtle while watching:
On Wednesday, I got a Christmas gift in the mail from a friend that 'sheep built' (she and her husband bought some fiber pets from me years ago and we've been friends ever since). She's a quilter as well as a spinner and knitter and made me the most gorgeous set of placemats! (I think the Laurel Burch horses bear a striking resemblance to my antique salt shaker.)
My nephew was jonesing to see ALL the animals and ride a horse, ALL BY HIMSELF, WITH REINS. We visited the chickens, sheep, and Chuckie Thursday evening,
and saved the riding for today (he rode twice, in fact).
Now the Sabbath has begun. I am trying to rest from my rollercoaster week, resist a certain teenager's pressure, and pray this familiar prayer:
Good night from . . .
20 comments:
Yikes, that was quite a week of rollercoaster riding. I can only imagine what a new truck will cost. So sorry.
JesusMaryAndJosephAndAllOfHisCarpenterFriends.
I'm so glad that Brian walked away from that. I hope he did go to the hospital for scans to be sure he's OK. Although if he's already played basketball again I imagine he is fine. Vehicles can be replaced. Humans - not so much.
And burns, and an amputation for your stepbrother. . . . . At least you got to have some fun with your nephew and fulfill a dream. The look on his face in both photos is just priceless. :-)
I hope this long weekend will hold times of relaxation for you. Roller coaster indeed.
Yikes... LOVE Lance though. What a sweetie :-).
And I thought my week was a little unsettled! Oh Michelle, I have a feeling your description of Brian's accident was typed in a much calmer voice than you actually felt. Thanks to the powers that be he wasn't hurt. He could have been. When learning to drive properly, I think we all have incidents that never should have happened and can only hope they are a learning experience. We have so many deer in our area that when coming upon one in the road the safest maneuver in most cases seems to be to hit the brakes but do not swerve. Yes, you'll possibly hit the deer and do damage to your vehicle but swerving can cause serious damage to the human(s). Hugs from one mother to another.
Michelle - I am breathless. I am not a terribly religious person, but I do believe in my heart He is there when we need Him most. He was by your son's side for sure during that accident. So glad he walked away from that one.
That was all almost unreal! I'm thankful that Brian was hurt no worse. Sorry about the pickup. Sometimes our instincts takes over, in an emergency.
I pray that your step brother will be okay. That's not a good situation.
Your little nephew is a cutie. He surely made a bright spot in your week!
Jeanne <><
Oh, dear, it has been a week! Let's hope the next one is calmer all around. Glad Brian is okay. My friend had a deer incident on Monday night too but she's okay.
What a week, Michelle. So glad Brian is okay! I hope your stepbrother is too.
Theresa, the only NEW truck that might get purchased around here would be a new vet truck for Rick, since his has over 500,000 miles on it. In fact, putting the insurance money from the little truck towards that is one of the possibilities, but so is buying something inexpensive with it for Brian to drive.
No, Brian didn't go to the hospital but he really is fine, A. He couldn't have been going more than 30-35 mph from the tire tracks visible on the road and bank (although he initially said he was only going TEN mph; ha).
Sara, Lance was really good for the first ride, but got quite rude with me on the second ride, all snakey-face and bitey. Don't know if he was bored or what, but I was afraid he might ramp up so I resorted to holding onto him (nephew didn't seem to notice). So Lance isn't perfect – but close. ;-)
Mama Pea, that's why it took most of a week before I could post about it! Thanks for the hugs.
I agree, Elaine!
Yes, Jeanne, the visit was a bright spot for sure. As for my brother, after decades of poor decisions and bad habits, I don't think he'll be okay. I'm more worried for my parents, who can no longer try to take care of him.
FFG, I sure hope next week is better, but I was hoping this YEAR would be better and it is not starting out that way! (P.S. I can't comment on your blog. :-(
Leigh, we are both thankful Brian is okay and praying that he learns more from his choices than my brother has.
I'm so glad Brian's ok! What a scary thing for all of you. I know all too well about relatives who make poor choices and don't learn from them. It's painful to watch. *hugs* to you, my friend!
Oh gosh, I'm so glad Brian is all right! I hope that this next week will be much better for you all.
Wow! What a rollercoaster! Hold on tight, Michelle!
What a relief that Brian is okay, and hopefully a bit wiser. Sorry about your brother, I feel for your parents. Long term care takes a toll.
Your nephew looks great up on Lance. A nice way to close out a rather tumultuous week.
Life is SOOO bumpy at times. Thankfully, that week is in the past now.
On one little bright note, and speaking from many years handling insurance claims, one of the outcomes of a teen having a bad wreck that they walk away from is that they get a puncture in that sense of invulnerability that seems to be the norm for teens. It may save him from who-knows-what on down the road. Breathe, breathe, in-out, repeat. This week is in the record books now, and what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. You are one of the stronger-est people I know. Hugs!
Goodness me! What a week. I'm glad that (on the whole) everything turned out well. I hope your brother recovers quickly - how terrible to have to lose a leg.
Prayers for you all xx
That photograph of the truck made me catch my breath! He is so lucky! Your nephew is adorable and looks so wonderful on your handsome horse. There doesn't seem to be much down time in your life, does there? I admire your calm but know it comes with a price. Be sure to be good to yourself, my dear.
...this too shall pass. The good, the not so good, and the bad. How's Kate doing?
All 3 of my daughters had similar experiences, except they weren't on a "unauthorized trip". So glad Brian is safe and I know he learned a lot from it. Sorry about your brother, more for your parents than anything. How old is he? My older sister had a stroke at 50 (poor decisions her whole life) and my younger sister and I told my mother quite sternly that she was going in a home. Your presents from your friend are beautiful. Hang in there lady, I'll get up to visit one of these times.
You do you ever have a full plate! I am so thankful that Brian walked away from that truck. I’m betting that he’s doing some thinking these days about how it could have gone. I trust that he realizes how blessed he is..
Kat, too often people who make poor choices fail to realize that they don't just affect THEM. No man is an island....
Thanks, Mokihana; this week has also had it's ups and downs but it might be a LITTLE better.
I'm trying, Donna!
Yes, Wanda; the emotional and physical load for my parents is what concerns me most.
Aw Sylvia, thanks for being on my cheering squad!
Thanks for continued prayers, Alison. My brother probably won't recover without some major changes of thought and behavior, and seems unlikely to make either.
Susan, you and I both know that down time and self-care are hard to squeeze in. I'll do it if you will!!! ;-)
Lorie, to add heartbreak to injury, Kate's dog got hit and killed Sunday, and she learned this week that she will have to have surgery on her broken clavicle.
Ruth, I'm going to hold you to that visit! (My brother is 57.)
I'm not sure the lesson went very deep, Sharon, since he thinks we should just hand him the keys to another vehicle (that's not happening – yet).
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