Some things I learned one year ago

I have a picture of Riley smiling on a cute inflatable whale in a pond. That picture sends chills up my spine every time I see it. At the time that I shot the photo, things in my world were happy and carefree. Moments later, they were a world from that.

September 9, 2007 will forever be etched in my heart. Our family had gone with David’s parents to a friend’s amazing ranch. Thank God we were with David’s parents. The plan was to swim, have a cookout, ride 4-wheelers and just have a great time.

That all came to a screeching halt when Garrett, with David on the back, lost control of a large 4-wheeler and plowed through a barbed wire fence. Right at neck level. The memory of the scene still effects me physically. Not because of the blood, which there was plenty of, but because of the fear and the uncertainty and the confusion. For a person who is not easily rocked, the “this can’t be happening” feeling was unfamiliar and horrifying. It was a scene that I won’t describe in detail here, but it was very serious, and I definitely didn’t know how my day was going to end.

It ended with a couple of hundred stitches that screamed a testimony of God’s mercy and grace. It ended with a new perspective. It ended with a lot of learning.

Here is about 1% of my list of things I learned that night.

I learned that when I call my sister and tell her not to panic, she doesn‘t follow my instructions. ;)

I learned that the sight of people I love waiting at the emergency room entrance as we arrived after the scariest trip of my life was like a having a warm blanket wrapped around me.

I learned that my parents can appear out of thin air. How did they get there so fast? Wait, I don’t want to know.

I learned that security is an illusion. Only God knows the real plan.

I learned that I am surrounded by love. I never had to worry about my other kids the whole time. I left them in the entrance of the ER in swimsuits. I don't even think all of them were there yet. Somehow they ended up in clothes, with art supplies, games and snacks because I am the luckiest girl in the world and God has blessed me with family and friends that I couldn’t in a million years deserve.

I learned that relationships are all that matter. Period.

And most of all, I learned that there is no time to waste because it can all turn on a dime.

On. A. Dime.

We are so not in control.