Tumbled Words

I again am preempting my scheduled post. (tomorrow I will post it: a wonderful letter written to a Hospice worker by my friend, printed with her permission) Why? Because we almost became part of the interstate this morning. So, my current positive post is:

Thank you to the powers looking after us, but ALSO, thank you Leon for remaining calm after the semi side-swiped us and turned us sideways and pushed us up on two wheels. Leon saved our lives by thinking instantly and remaining in control of the car.

We were in the right lane. The semi was behind other cars in the lane to our left. A small car changed from the third lane I was told (I didn’t see that tiny bit, Leon and the truck driver did.) He didn’t really have room, I guess. The bottom line, I looked over just before that car hit the car in front of him (looked like more of a tap), but by his pulling in front of the truck and then having to slow down so fast, the truck driver was essentially screwed (sorry, but that is my word of choice today). I can only say that I didn’t feel it go on two wheels, but Leon did and the truck driver saw it.

All I know is we got bumped in Leon’s door and back wheel by the semi as the semi tried to avoid plowing those other two cars across who knows how many lanes — and I saw us heading crossways across the interstate toward all the other lanes, Leon calmly steered us back (by not panicking or overcorrecting!!!!) and got us off to the side of the road. So that is where he gets credit. Those looking out for us get credit because of two things: The truck driver remained in control apparently for the most part, and whoever was behind us managed not to hit us!!!!! And with the number of cars out there and the speed… it is a miracle, plain and simple. We are ALL thankful.

We don’t know if the car and the car it hit initially knew the havoc caused or not, they kept going apparently. When we got to the side, the semi pulled in behind us and one of them got out before us. I asked him if everyone else was OK and he said yes. At that time I thought the other cars had stopped behind them, but that wouldn’t have made sense would it? They were ahead of us as we got hit. Anyway, my shoulder is bothering me, but I am not sure it is from that.

And the truck drivers, the Florida Highway Patrol (phone and in person), and AAA (phone and in person), and our son (it was HIS car, our A/C had gone and we were on the way to pick it up) were all decent to deal with.

The worst part: Waiting on the side of the interstate for way too long with ALL those cars and semis flying by above the speed limit instead of slowing down or changing lanes… We came to a stop toward the top of the overpass and if I could have gotten down that hill - trust me, I would have.

Tags: accident, positive thoughts, thankful

Happy Mother’s Day!

May your day have been one of memories made, memories held close - or both.

Tags: bathing beauty, Mom, Mother's Day

And so, Mom, how goes it up there? Is it what you expected? I assume you are still looking down on us and I figured our traveling across country twice would have gotten your attention, you so wanted to travel more. I tried to get a condo on the beach since I know that was your dream - and is one of mine, too, but that will have to wait, too many condo associations are going under, people are paying their mortgages if they can and not their association fees.

I know at times it probably seems to you I don’t miss you, but hey, I hear your words so often it is almost like you are here - and yeah, I know how proud you are of your grandsons. And I know you probably had something to say to the “powers that be” about not being around to see your great granddaughter. I bet he is still having second thoughts about that decision - assuming he decided - you know you and I don’t see eye to eye on that one.

So, do they have golf up there for you and dad - or have you chosen a new hobby? Or did y’all just revert back to Scrabble and Rummy? I’m sure you and Dad had catching up to do since he died so much before you. I bet you had something to say about that, too, but then it was amazing to see you grow into your new role of a woman on her own, learning to survive… Good lesson for those observing - we can do it, not that we have to like it. But I am NOT dealing with Medicare, Medicaid, and all that stuff — you had patience for it, I don’t. So, pull some strings, OK?

One more question. Can I assume you are still braver than me? I mean, I have caught up a bit! But, I’m not wielding a golf club to protect someone doing laundry in a backyard at the end of a dead end road that bordered the woods when a known rapist is hiding in the area! I would have told your brother to forget the laundry getting done - do it himself if he wanted it done. But I understand that his employee didn’t feel she had that option and you were just protecting her…. That was in the 1950’s though, Mom, but you know, nothing’s changed in that respect, still a lot of woman would have felt obligated… a shame…

But it did make a great visual, your little five feet with that golf club way out there by the clothesline watching the woods around y’all so she could get the laundry hung up. Of course, back then I was too scared to appreciate the irony of it. I was mad at you, too. I thought it was stupid to go out there just to hang up laundry… and guess what, I still do, though I admire you for helping her!!

Gotta go, I’ll write more — just, you know I get lost in reading and my poetry — and in bugging Leon. Say hi to Dad. Tell him I’m still glad I didn’t become an accountant — but I wish I had taken the computer programming courses and stuff. I love html and css, what little I’ve played with. With his IQ and knack for detail, I bet he would have loved it… born a century too soon, I suppose.

And yeah, I’m gonna post that picture of you in your bathing suit from before I was born. You’ll get over it! Or maybe the one at the pool where your tongue is stuck out… Or did I post that one already? I want to post one of Daddy, too, but I did the one of him on the ferry. OK, just like on the phone, I still can’t hang up.

Later!

Love,

Marcia

PS, Happy Birthday tomorrow! 87 earth years you would have been. You and Dad have fun up there. By the way, any more hole in ones on the golf course? And if you run into Leon’s mom, say hello. Tell her if she hasn’t looked down lately, she might want to, “he’s done her proud.” Oh, and tell her I have not laughed at him at a hair salon any more since that day… but then he hasn’t had to get another perm for a stage play role. And don’t tell her I still laugh at the thought! She didn’t have to threaten to kick me out of her shop though…. grin.

Tags: , birthdays, letter, Mom