It happened in a split second.  Shorter than the time it takes you to check your blind spot…because that’s exactly what I was doing.  I was in a merging lane that was ending in less than fifty feet.  The road was a 45 mph and I had just come off of a red light.  I was gaining some speed and the car in front of me put on their right turn signal to merge.  I signaled and checked my blind spot and crashed, apparently.  I didn’t know what was going on.  I didn’t know if I was upright or okay.  The car was filled with smoke and a weird smell and my hands felt like they were on fire.  I thought maybe they were.  My head was resting on a cushion…oh no, an airbag.  I was in a crash.  I was having trouble breathing.  I felt for my phone and called Chris who is on speed dial. “Honey….*breathe breathe*….I was in an accident.  I am having trouble breathing.  I’m by the bank.”  We got disconnected.  I think I was hyperventilating and I still couldn’t see anything.  A few samaritans opened my door and told me to get my head out in some fresh air.  Finally, air.  I was trying to take some deep breaths and my phone rang.  A guy reached around me to answer it.  It was Chris.  “She’s alright.  She has some burns and she is a little shaken up.  The police and ambulance are on their way.”  They got there before Chris.  As they walked me over to the ambulance, they explained to me that the chemicals from the airbag were burning the skin on my hands.  I saw the other car.  The trunk was in the back seat.  The man escorting my hands to the ambulance must have seen me eyeing the other car (who had stopped instead of continuing to merge) and reassured me that everyone–including the girl driving who was just 17–was okay in that car.  I was shaking.  I was still in shock and in extreme pain.  I felt so relieved when Chris climbed in the ambulance.  So relieved I started crying a little.  “I’m so sorry, honey.” He told me not to even go there.  It was becoming more and more clear that I was okay.  I had no serious injuries and I didn’t feel the need to go to the hospital.  It was a miracle.  They flushed my hands several times and put on some burn cream and wrapped them up.  They gave Chris some instructions and within a half hour we were on our way home and our car was being towed in the opposite direction.

I have thought about the accident over and over again.  I thought about all of the things we did yesterday and it feels surreal.  The same me that went grocery shopping in the morning also got in car crash–several hours later.  Life changes so quickly.  In less than a second.  Suddenly little tiffs about breakfast cereal seem so insignificant and uncalled for.   I am alive.  Thank goodness I was wearing my seatbelt and the airbag deployed.  We are grateful: that there was no one in the backseat of the other car.  That Brandon and Stephanie live around the corner and were able to come be with Greta while Chris rushed to my aid.  For full coverage auto insurance.  For the good samaritans that pulled me out of my chemical-filled car and comforted me and reassured Chris.  There were no burns on my face or arms.  That Greta wasn’t in the car.  That we have two cars.  For hospital-strength Ibuprofen.  That I got my license renewed last week before it expired.  We are grateful that we’re in love and have love in our lives from family and friends and each other.  Thankful that we have a new, greater appreciation for that and life—together.