Today I had the most memorable birthday in a long while. Needless to say my day did not workout quite as planned. I am reminded I have a lot of incredible people in my life who stepped up to meet my needs.
Yesterday I got a call from a vendor that will be an important participant for a research project we are doing at work. They asked if I might be available to come down to Des Moines for a 7am meeting before other meetings got rolling as part of our AASHTO Mid-Year. I said sure despite it being my birthday and having a backlog at work because one does not turn down an opportunity just because it seems at first glance a bit inconvenient.
So in a steady rain I headed south at 6:15 this morning and was grateful it was not a heavy rain when I got out to the freeway. As I exited the freeway to head into downtown Des Moines (the rain had mostly stopped by then) I got quite a surprise when another driver ran a red light and Tboned my car. The impact spun me around into oncoming traffic and deployed my side airbags (right onto my head). Once I realized what happened and figured out what the voice was that was asking if I was ok (my OnStar savior checking to make sure I was ok and alerting 911 for me) I realized I couldn't see anything with airbags everywhere.
A huge shout out to the Urbandale Fire squad, Des Moines police department and the Crow Tow team for be quick and efficient in making sure we were all ok and safe today.
I called Joe and while sobbing assured both him, and the dispatcher who had taken the place of the OnStar voice, that I was pretty sure I was ok. By then the fire department had arrived and we realized I could open my car door and that I was trapped inside by my airbags. They made quick work of that so I could get out of the car. My drivers side is pretty smashed up and the rear axel is bent and the insurance company seems to think it may be totaled. For those of you who know the history of my car there is some sadness and likely some joy because this Saturn Vue has been a real lemon for us. I am grateful to have a car that ran and got us where we needed to go but it was constantly breaking and very frustrating since this started as soon as we drove it off the lot new. So quite possibly this will be a blessing in disguise.
The woman who hit me I think was more shaken up then I was and I made sure to give her a couple of hugs before the wrecker hauled both of our vehicles away. I had the "pleasure" of being delivered to my meeting via the back seat of a Des Moines police car and was grateful to have reached my destination. Yes I went to the meeting I had scheduled and we made some great progress but by the end despite a gift of Aleve I was starting to feel pretty rough. Through the good graces of my colleague I received a ride back to Ames while talking to insurance companies all the way back.
Once I got there I set my intern to work, and my bestie Adri gave me a ride to the clinic so I could make sure I didn't have anything broken or things to worry about. After an hour with a very thorough doctor I was given the green light to carry on with my day and Adri brought me home and I was reminded again of the wonderful kindness of my friends. Joe made sure I was settled and was off to shuttle a little boy back from home. I got to spend time building a tin can cable car with my boy and then taking him to his first official piano lesson.
Joe and Abby arrived home with yummy chocolate and beautiful flowers. We had a great meal and did an ice cream run. My brother called to make sure I was fully functioning (I welcome the concern from him and Joe but really, I'm doing fine.) Then I got to read all of the wonderful birthday wishes from friends and family from around the country and I was reminded again how blessed I am. I really am doing ok despite being a bit battered and bruised and I am ever so grateful to have another year of wonderful memories even if the path taken is not always what I expected. Wish you all a wonderful day!
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