I never really thought about that question too much until last weekend when the end came perilously near. Rick and I were driving home from dinner with our friend Jan, who was in the front seat with Rick. We were headed home on a busy one way street, a Friday around 8:30. The road was busier than it sometimes is with cars in the lanes to our left, some to the right, when we saw a police car with its lights on, rushing down a perpindicular street just at the next light -- and going through the light.
The police car turned into our one-way street -- going against traffic. And then we saw it.
He was chasing another car, coming straight toward us in our lane, driving at an extreme rate of speed. The police car was in hot pursuit, again headed straight toward us.
We were within just a few feet of being slammed head-on when Rick swerved the car into the lane to our right. Fortunately, no one was there.
Without his quick reflexes I am confident that this would have been one of those blogs where people simply disappear and you always wonder. Are they ill? Are they traveling? Will they write here again? Did they just give up blogging?
Those of you who know me might send an email that would be unanswered. Others would simply give up.
I've thought a lot about that evening over the last few days. I think about it all the time. I've thought about how grateful I am for Rick's quick thinking, although I think it was more instinct than anything else. He learned, when racing bicycles on the velodrome, how to avoid collisions, as velodrome bikes don't have brakes. You swerve. Remember that one.
I've thought about how grateful I am there was no one in the lane into which we swerved. There was no time to look. That, too, could have been a crash and probably a debilitating one -- but not so fatal as the alternative.
I've thought about Lizzie, who would be expecting me home and no one realizing that she was there alone, hungry, wondering when her people would come feed her.
I've thought about being grateful that I had no unfinished business with people. No arguments outstanding. No bad will. And it reminded me that I should see more often the people I care about as our busy lives often fail to connect.
When I saw the headlight of the car coming toward us (one headlight was out) I was shocked but calm. No screaming. Until that very instant after when we were safe. And then I shook like a leaf.
All of us have had follow-up issues. We can't find anything about an arrest in the news, so what happened? This chase began in another county but why in the world would an urban chase involve the police chasing backwards on a busy one-way street? Is an arrest more important than the danger all the drivers in that area were faced with? For if that car had collided with us head-on, it wouldn't just be us that felt the aftermath. Without doubt cars would have careened into others and many people would have been hurt.
I truly believe that God, the universe -- call it what you will -- had more work for all three of us to do on this earth. What that work is, I don't know. Being kind? Helping others? Some great mission we've yet to discover?
I don't know. I probably never will. What I do know is that I will forever be grateful, thankful. I will value the life I live even more than I did before. I will continue to live each day in a way that if it was to be my last it would be the best it could be.
And yes, I've always believed in angels. And they were with us that night.
37 comments:
So sorry that you had such an awful experience on the way home, things like that give us a big shock. I'm really happy that you are still with us, and hope you will continue blogging till we're both old and grey! Hugs, Valerie
Yikes, Jeanie! How scary and harrowing and mind-boggling and awful!
I hope you reported this to the police/city-council of the town where it happened.
It's hard to imagine something so pressing that catching the bad guy(s) would be worth endangering so many innocent bystanders........
Hoping no one was injured in the entire course of this chase, and surely hope that the people involved get a good talking to about the danger of their chasing the one-eyed car!
So glad for Rick's quick reflexes!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sending you good vibes. And hugs.
Oh MY it is moments like these that leave one thinking what if and feeling grateful for being safe.
Thank goodness for Rick's reflexes and for a happy ending to that incident dear Jeanie.
Life is oh so fragile and in moments like these it is brought right to the forefront as a strong reminder.
Very happy that you are all safe (have I said that already).
Your post gives me chills.
We hear so much bad news but obviously there are lots of stories out there that remain untold.
Take care and keep enjoying each precious moment of your beautiful life.
Extra (((hugs))) coming your way oxo
Wow- what a story. It truly makes you believe in guardian angels. I am glad that Rick calmly swirled out of the way and didn't panic himself-just think if he did and he couldn't react. It reminds you how everything can change in just a moment and reminds you that life is indeed a wonderful thing that we don't always appreciate. Wow. This post made me stop and think and remind me how important everyone in my life is. I would have missed your posts if they stopped and I know what you mean about blogs that suddenly stop. I'm glad you are still here! Hugs-Erika
What a terrible - and terrifying - experience, Jeanie. I am sure that it will be going round and round in your mind for some time to come. I am glad indeed for you that Rick's quick reactions saved the day,and very grateful you are still here!!!!!
Please, take it easy for the next few days.
Jeanie, what a harrowing experience! I am so thankful that y'all are ok, that Rick had quick reflexes, and that you will be blogging for a long time. God was indeed with you all! Hugs, Pam
So glad you and Rick are safe.
Oh, Jeanie, how scary. I'm so glad you all are all right. It sure makes one realize how quickly it can end. Again, I'm glad you are all right. Hugs,
Oh Jeanie, I can't even imagine what that was like. It is in the aftermath that you feel it! Was it really worth it to have a high speed police chase in a populated, or high traffic area?? I'm so glad you are all o.k. -Jenn
So glad to hear that you came out of your scary ride unscathed. Whew. I would have shaken like a leaf for sure.
I was hit by a car when I was 7 years old and I've always wondered why I survived. There must be something special yet for me to do here. The same for you. God's plans always work out for the best. Relish all the days of your life, for they are truly a gift.
Oh my gosh, how scary is that. I would have probably fainted. So glad that you are all okay other than being so scared.
I too have often wondered exactly about what you wrote about. I hope if that happens, my friend would send out a blog. I often wonder too what happens to people that blog and you never hear from them.
So glad that all of you are safe and sound.
Hugs,
Mary
Very grateful this ended well!
Whew! So glad you all three came out safely and that Rick swerved and no one was in the other lane. How very scary! Yes, I believe in angels and your guardian angels were there beside you.
Living, as I do, in southern California high speed car chases are an almost everyday occurrence but I still don't understand why it's necessary to put lives at risk to catch a robbery suspect or something along those lines. Yes, if a life is in danger...maybe...but at the same time they're putting more lives in danger with the chase.
I'm so happy you're all okay and Lizzie is not alone waiting. Thank goodness for Rick's quick reflexes. And I do believe in guardian angels. Yours was on the job that night!
Wow! You have had a close call. I too am glad nothing more serious happened or I would have all the questions you write about. I've often wondered such things about other bloggers and about my own self. I've been trying to get my affairs in order for some time. They were in order once but now I need to update and think about a few things first but I've been so busy just looking after mom's needs and catching up to other things. But I'm hoping before long everything will be done once again. Then I can relax my mind a bit. Once again I'm so glad you lived to tell the tale.
By the way, you asked the question does our life flash before our eyes. I don't think it always does as I've actually had more than one close call in life. Once was a near car accident in icy winter conditions. In that instance, my life or scenes of my life did flash before my eyes. It was very surreal. Like a film of different episodes in life from younger age to older age. I'm not sure why those particular episodes and I do not remember them now. In other instances, I had no such flashes of memory. Very interesting stuff. No doubt whatever is happening triggers something in the brain.
The one good thing out of these experiences as you've noted is that we learn to value our lives and relationships much more for the precious things they are. Hugs. xx
Oh my gosh....thank goodness you are ok. That is totally scary! Would my life pass before my eyes, not sure. If it happens way to fast I probably would not have the time to let anything flash before me. Scary, scary.....but you never know. Thanks for sharing.
What an incredibly scary event. When I read that Rick had swerved, my first thought was he had hit a car in the other lane, but that was quickly answered. So glad he was driving and all was well. Yes, it seems we somehow remain calm during a time of crisis, where time stands still, only to break down and shake later, when time seems to speed up.
You did get me thinking, though. I now realize I must leave some kind of instructions in my will I plan to make within the next year, letting everyone know on my blog what has happened to me, as well as who will take care of my boys. Bleubeard will be easy, because, even in his old age, he's Mr. Social. Squiggles, on the other hand, hides from EVERYONE, even my friend Scott. He is truly MY cat and only mine.
You have also made me aware that there should have been some kind of law like we have in KS, where a chase must be abandoned when it endangers others' lives. Too bad that isn't true in MI. And I have noticed that if there are no news people on the scene, this type of chase is often not reported. It seems only death and gore make it to the 11 oclock news. If it bleeds, it leads, as they say.
SO GLAD you are OK, and hopefully not shaking anymore. Love the photos.
Oh, Jeanie... I'm sooo VERY THANK YOU that you, Rick and Jan are ALIVE and WELL!! What a blessing in how things turned out. I believe in God, His power, and I'm sure He has spared you all for great good. I'm so glad Rick knew what to do in a crazy situation--bless him! Something like can't help but shake a person up. Being a survivor of a serious car crash, I know the feeling! Life is sooo precious. It is a true gift to leave given to wake up every day! So glad you had Lizzie to come home to. :) Lovely angels in this thoughtful post... I believe in angels too! I'm sure one was with you on Friday. :) ((LOVE & BIG HUGS))
Jeanie, you made me think about a lot here....one thing in particular, is this Instagram friend who has not been around for about 8 months. She must have thousands of comments on her last post from concerned followers/friends. On the other hand, these moments you describe here have happened once or twice in my lifetime, and by the grace of God, we are given another chance. As I read your well-written account here, what is stunning is that all of us who have experienced a scare as such always revert to the same responds: gratitude and reflection. The latter usually involves the sense that we are truly temporary on this earth and if we go even further, we realize that the most important thing to do in life is to engage in the things you mention: kindness, love, service to others. No matter what our life consists of now, I think in the end, only those three things will really matter. I am so glad you are safe!
I, too, believe in angels. I'm happy to hear yours were with you.
Jeanie, I am so sorry for your terrifying experience but thankful the angels were watching over you! Your post here will leave all of us who read it with the same thoughts, thankful for each day and making sure the day is full of all things good. Thankful you three are safe..........
DEAREST JANET,
I'm so glad to read that nothing bad has happened and that nobody of you was injured, its' something like a miracle, really !!!
Wishing you the best of weeks,
I'm sending hugs and ever much love to you
with sincere thankfulness
XOXO Dany
Whether it was angels watching over you, or something else, I'm glad for it. I'm relieved you all came out of it safely, and that there was nobody in the other lane when Rick swerved to avoid the oncoming car.
Good Heavens! I am so glad you are all alright! That WAS a near death experience if ever I heard one. Maybe the police figured that one more car going the wrong way wouldn't make a difference. I sure hope they caught the guy!
Jeannie, What a close call. So glad that you are all okay in what could have been a deadly situation. But I'm truly amazed at how many angel pictures you have. Maybe that's what saved you.
What an extraordinary, scary experience. Thank you for sharing your story and beautiful contemplative photos. ❤
So glad to hear you are safe. Angels. Yes. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for being here.
Oh Jeanie, what a story, and with pictures of the most beautiful angel statues. Yes, you all were watched over that night on the road. It's so strange because you couldn't find out anything about what happened in the news and such.
Being grateful is what this is all about, and maybe you were supposed to write this very post, my dear, reminding us of just that.
So glad you're ok.
~Sheri
ps so good to know you are the only child. The article had some good things to
say about that. : ) They're pretty creative.
I am so glad that you are ok Jeanie!
These things do make us think about life, the meaning, our own lives, what we have done and what we would like to do.
Sending you light.
Oh my gosh, what a terrifying experience. I can understand why you were shaking like a leaf. Thank goodness you are all ok. I think you should try to report the incident, though, as when you endanger others in pursuit of someone, I think you've gone too far. I'm sure it will take quite some time for you to shake this harrowing experience. And maybe it's something that will forever stay with you.
I can't think of a time when my life has felt compromised or on the brink of ending/being severely impacted, but it has happened to others, sometimes resulting in death. And in the sadness of losing others, I'm usually reminded to live the heck out of my life and make the most of every day. I had that experience when I suddenly lost my uncle last August.
Sending you hugs! So relieved that you are all ok!!!
First: thank goodness you're all (relatively) fine, and thank goodness for Rick's reflexes. When I was hit from behind on the freeway back in 1981, the only thing that kept me from really serious injury or death was hearing my dad's voice saying "Steer into the skid... steer into the skid" when he was teaching me to drive on ice as a teenager. Call it what you will. We're saved, over and over again, by forces we hardly can name, let alone understand.
Are you having any trouble driving, or riding in a car? I did for a while, but only a week or two. When I was hesitant, a friend insisted I "get back on the horse," and it was exactly what I needed. But be gentle with yourself.
These police chases drive me crazy. There are instances of people really being hurt, or worse, because of them. If someone's believed to be a real threat, fine. Chase. But there needs to be more caution.
The terror I felt as I was reading was wrapped into
the angels in your life in
beautiful reflective photos
set in a real life terrifying experience true story.
I found this a beautiful testimony of you . . .
You have written this in such clarity . . .
I am saving your words . . .
And then there is that one tiny mention I too think about often . . .
who would know to take care of Lizzie . . .
(Who would know to check on Snickers.)
Thank you for this Jeanie . . .
I am thankful for you . . .
For Ricks quick swerve . . .
For angels . . .
Dear Jeanie,
first of all, thank goodness you are all o.k. and that no one was hurt. What could the driver have done to make the police chase so reckless and dangerous to other drivers on the road? I hope that one day you discover what their crime had been.
And, lastly, no I don't believe in angels. I know there are angels and they keep watch over us all through our lives. I'm so glad yours were out in force that night.
Sending love from Normandy,
Maggie.
That must have been so scary, Jeanie. I'm very glad that Rick was able to get the car out of the danger zone in time. No wonder you all were shaken afterwards. Incidents like that make you think about how fast life can end.
Sending you a big hug,
Julia
Oh Jeanie, I'm so glad you are all safe. Those close encounters do shake us up. I'm glad that Lizzie didn't have to wonder. I've thought of this often, especially now that our children have moved away and it's just us two and we have pups who depend on us, so I made a small card which I keep behind my driver's license in my wallet letting others know we have two dogs alone at home. Our daughter has a neighbor who lives alone with his pup, and he actually has a small sign by his front door alerting rescue workers that his dog is inside. I think it's a good precaution. They depend on us so much.
We certainly do value life more after these scary moments, they make us take notice of things we don't necessarily disregard or take for granted, but sometimes lose sight of. Each breath is a gift, dear friend.
Interesting coincidence, or maybe not, the quote I chose to share in my last post. You're still here, serving Him, even in the most ordinary things ...like a smile ...and yours can sure light up a world.
(((Hugs)))
I'm so glad y'all are all alright; that Rick's instincts were good, and that the next lane was clear.
People just don't seem to understand how bad/stupid choices behind the wheel can end or ruin lives.
I'm so glad you were able to go home to Lizzie and didn't just disappear from Blogger.
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