Been weighing on my mind ever since this morning so ima just share on here, maybe itll reach someone looking for a little motivation. Took an over night trip to Stuttgart after work last night and on my way back about 7:00 am I stopped at a gas station in Helena that I believe, for no particular reason, Ive never been before. Was waiting in the long line to grab something to eat real quick and get back on my way. Waiting in the line I started making small talk with an older black woman behind me, cracking jokes at how blatantly irritated the cashier was at every single person she encountered. Just like we all were the cause of her misery, coming in for coffee, breakfast etc. But she didnt say much, she just kept giggling at my random non-sense and dumb jokes. I paid for my breakfast and told her take it easy. She replied, and you do the same. As I hopped back in the truck opening up my biscuit, right before my eyes, I watch this same woman that I briefly exchanged a few words with, pull left out onto the highway, timed perfectly for her driver door to be met full speed by a heavy, grain loaded tractor trailer. Mangling her 4 door sedan and Ive seen a lot of wrecked tractors at the different diesel shops Ive worked at, but I was in awe at the damage the wide bumper on this Peterbuilt took after observing later, even blew out the passenger hub and side hood. I run back across the parking lot to the wreck, met by the mechanic crew from the Ace tractor dealership right across the street. Not seeing anything while running over, only air bags in all windows, I go around to the passenger side as shes crawling out the open door with screams of terror and pain that I hope Ill soon forget. One of the mechanics was quick on the phone with 911, giving the address as she crawls out crutching to everyone near and not letting go. Looked me in the eyes with so much shock that she looked like she didnt know which way was up. All happening so fast, driver climbs out of tractor cab, an old man, tears rolling down his face, looking on at all the tractor mechanics holding this woman still screaming in agony. The old man looked at me while he was struggling for words, like he needed to defend himself or give an explanation as to what just happened. No words were exchanged regretfully, Im ashamed I didnt have one word to console him, just a hand on his shoulder and a look Im only assuming gave him some kind of assurance that it was unnecessary and not even the time. Suddenly the woman silences, and then frantically begins searching for her purse to get her phone, yet unable to name who she needed to call. My children! she finally muttered. What was maybe all of 3 minutes time, I felt like id lived 10 life times. Im just standing there next to this mangled accident scene. I see police approaching in the distance, I finally muscle up the courage to speak, (still wishing id of been able to use the whit Im often capable of using to think of the right thing to say at the right time) Im so thankful youre both ok. And not another word, then turn and walked back to my truck, pull out my phone, ready to call my family and every contact in it to tell them every thing that I can think of that I may be holding in. I find the final percentage on my phone battery (which I knew was dying already) had shut off. With no charger I make the last of my hour drive to my house. Feeling like I was right where I needed to be just then. Not that I couldve done anything to prevent the accident (that thankfully ended with no critical injuries to my knowledge) but what I honestly needed to be apart of. Faced with a dead phone and long drive remaining, I can only assume a few phone calls saying what I usually dont bother with was not the lesson to be learned this morning. I cant say what it really did to me. I cant say what Im hoping any one will take from this. I realize Ive rambled on long enough. But maybe just dont put off anything significant ever again? Go see those loved ones you havent visited in awhile? Let that person youve been feuding with know you wana drop the petty grudge? Even though this was a long story with no clear message, I hope this can touch someone as its touched me. All I can say that Im sure of though is if you find yourself in a situation where life is being laid out exposing itself in its simplest form of just how fragile not only our own existence is, but also of those that make our time here worth living, youre going to wana be able to say Im glad I didnt hold anything back, unlike I was today. I guess thats what I got from all this.
Posted on: Fri, 06 Jun 2014 03:24:34 +0000