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Friday, August 25, 2017

JUST DRIVE

I've been putting this post off for a couple of weeks or so.....

Let me start by saying this.....
A couple of weeks ago I was out with a friend, I was driving, and I switched lanes. 
I did NOT see the car behind me that honked his horn. 
He was in my blind spot. 
Lucky for me I did not hit him. 
When he pulled up beside me, I rolled down my window and apologized profusely.  

We've all done it. 

Sometimes we don't even know it.  I remember last summer I was driving down the street and a police officer turned around right in the middle of the road, right beside me, flipped on his siren,  and forced me into another lane instantly, or we would have collided.  Lucky for me there wasn't anyone in the other lane.  And he never even knew he did it. 

BUT
IT SEEMS THAT NO ONE PAYS ATTENTION DRIVING ANYMORE

And it has affected our family tremendously.

We all think it won't happen to us.

On August 5, the night I was out with my sister celebrating at Wolfies,
in a town nearby, my cousin's daughter was killed. 
Of course we didn't know it at the time.
I got a text from my dear cousin Gloria,  in the middle of the night.
The beautiful lady that was killed was Gloria's sister's daughter. 
Pam's daughter, Missy, and her husband, Kris were on a motorcycle.
A van pulled out in front of them.
Missy was killed, almost instantly.

You can't stop a motorcycle on a dime.

Kris is still in the hospital and will be for a long time.
I have lost count of how many surgeries he has had.
They waited three weeks to hold Missy's funeral and Kris still was not permitted to attend.
Missy was 40 years old.
She has a daughter starting her senior year in high school, and a son that is 21 and engaged.
This all sounds like a nightmare that no one thinks will ever happen to them.

No one does something like this on purpose. 
ACCIDENTS HAPPEN
I imagine the driver of that van has wished and what iffed a million times since that night.  He has probably asked a million times, "why didn't I see that motorcycle?"  Alcohol was not involved.  I don't know if a phone was involved. 

This one instant changed the life of so many people.  

I wish I could end this post here,
but I cannot.

Two weeks later my niece was crossing the road to get the mail.  On her way back across the road,  she was struck by a car. 
The woman driving was single, has two children born in the United States, but she is illegal, no drivers license, no insurance, no valid plates, and she was out driving the next day.
(and please don't get political on me here, this is not a political post)

This is my niece.

This is where her head hit the windshield

She has a broken foot, stitches in her arm, and was being watched for a concussion.
If she were smaller she probably would have been killed.


I wasn't going to post pictures, but I think pictures make it real. 
So why not make it real.
It is to our family.  

PLEASE
When you are driving, pay attention, and
JUST DRIVE.
Nothing else.
JUST DRIVE

Cindy


11 comments:

  1. I am so sorry for your loss! I am praying for a speedy recovery of your niece.It seems like driving is not any fun anymore I have noticed. There are so many cars in California and when passing on a freeway it is so difficult. I am so sorry your family is going thru this heartache.hugs cheri

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  2. When I cross the road (on the crossing zebra, of course) I look carefully at all sides, even if the light is green. The road is full of lunatics with or without licence.
    Sorry for the loss in your family!May God strenghten them in their times of grief!

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  3. So sorry for all this loss, life and well being. So horrendous. Ugh. It's really scary out there and I don't even want to think about people driving while on medication.

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  4. I am so sorry for these tragedies that have occurred in your life and you are so right, it affects so many more people than just the person that has lost their life or are severely injured. May God give all involved healing and comfort for their broken hearts. Take care from Iowa

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  5. I am so sorry for your f. Driving has gotten so scary, I worry each time we're out.

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  6. It's the same here in UK, so many idiots behind the wheel, hubby is always shouting at drivers to get off their phone.

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  7. I'm so sorry for your loss. Hope your niece recovers with no long term damage. Prayers coming your way for you and your family.

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  8. This is such sad news. I'm sorry for your family's loss of your beautiful Missy. You're right that we've all done it. Changed lanes when someone is sitting there in our blind spot. But so many others take so many risks unnecessarily that it has become a huge issue with me. Lately, we have seen people making u-turns in the middle of intersections and all over really. So dangerous. Maybe the people look for other cars, but are they also looking for pedestrians? It seems nothing people say registers in the minds of everyday dangerous drivers. Thank you for this post. The images are hard to view seeing your poor niece in hospital with her injuries, but maybe this is the kind of viewing that will make people think twice when driving. Prayers to you that your niece heals well without complications. Hugs to you as you overcome your grief.
    Wendy

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  9. Cindy, I am so sorry to read about all the horrible accidents. Yes, accidents can happen...but then some should never have happened...such as texting or driving without a license...no license sure mean no insurance. Can't speak English then must not be able to read road signs...gaa. It's all crazy. So many people do whatever they please. I am praying for your families. Bless you Cindy. xoxo, Susie

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  10. So very sorry for your families loss and for the dreadful injuries. My thoughts are with you.

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Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment on my blog. I enjoy reading them. I hope you have a wonderful day.

Cindy