Happy Easter Everyone!
So this year's Easter Celebration has been very minimal for our household but it hasn't lessened our focus on what this weekend truly means to the Christian world.
Although the weekend itself is not over as we still have tomorrow (Sunday) to get through - not to mention it's General Conference time again :) - I just HAD to get on my blog and record something that has just rocked my world today.
It's been over two hours now since we left the house for the THIRD time today.
1st time: I went to run a personal errand *wink* - (clue: Shape Up The Nation)
2nd time: Took the girls to an Easter Egg Hunt and an Easter Egg Plunge (they dive for eggs in a kiddie pool at our local Rec Center - quite fun actually!)
and 3rd time: To take Sa to the Chapel for the Priesthood meeting that started at 6pm.
So anyway, while on our way - we immediately came to a halt on the road and nothing seemed clear as to why everyone in front of us just decided to STOP!
As we inched along, we realized that everyone was trying to merge quickly to the right hand lane - so we did likewise.
Soon - the two left lanes were clear in view and to our horror, there, in the middle of the road, lay a young woman - completely lifeless. A few people stood near her with shock on their faces but none showed any sign that they were in any way related to her or knew who she was.
Bumper to bumper we crept in silence, when finally the sirens of a fire engine and an ambulance race to the scene - snapping us out of our trance if for only a few seconds.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw something that lay about 10feet away from the body. At first glance, I thought it was a small dog or cat that may have been hit as well - - - but to my shock it was a bunch of HAIR! *shudders*
My eyes darted back to the body which was now parallel to our car as we inched forward some more. Can someone explain why you can't tear your eyes away from such horrific events?
I was pretty sure I wasn't going to easily forget what I had ALREADY seen thus far, but the more I looked on - I couldn't help but think of how sorry I felt (not only for her) but for her family and friends who were obviously nowhere in sight. *so gut wrenching I tell ya*
Her body was simply broken. She was either hit by more than one car or hit by a really fast one. Her clothes were torn where skidding on the road after impact had occurred leaving her bare skin exposed and once again 'simply broken'. She was bent and twisted at points that knew of no such angles and yet her head was hidden from view (possibly covered by someone that was involved).
Then cutting through my shock (again) was Coretta from the backseat saying, "Customer has an oweee...she needs to go to the Doctor, right Mommy?".
I had completely forgotten that our girls were with us up until that point - and I turned around and looked at her, then Heiress - and silently nodded.
Having been reeled back to my own world by the Coretta's innocent question - I was quickly reminded of how real accidents are; of how truly short life is; and of how unprepared I am to deal with sudden loss (given the situation) if I were put in such a position (heaven forbid).
Needless to say, we were soon driving away from the scene of the accident - although the images still haunted my thoughts. I was thinking about how if we had left even a few SECONDS earlier we would've in the middle of it all or would've been part of it's prevention. Who knows? All I know is, this random event has gotten me all rattled and wanting to check up on all my family and friends. So for those of you whom I've posted bizarre "I love you" posts on Facebook (with an "I might die soon" tone) - this is why. :)
I know how much I care about my family and friends but I probably don't share it often enough. So to all readers (family, friend, or random stranger) - please be safe on the roads, and know that we are thinking of all of you (like always) but with added significance during this Easter season :). I especially love to reflect upon the gratitude I feel for the ultimate Sacrifice this holiday commemorates because it is one that is full of love and compassion - - - both of which, I try each day to live and better yet see in others. Though it's all a work in progress. Just remember: Giving up is not an option.
And once again, stay safe and watch out for each other.
TTYL
