A Different Sort of Mother's Day

On Mother's Day one of my brothers and I were on the road, going to visit a sister and her husband.

Along the way a mini-ramp (like you would use to hoist up your car when changing the oil) fell off the back of the vehicle in front of us. I didn't have time to react by swerving out of the way as we were on the highway when this was happening. In a matter of a few seconds I ran over the ramp.

Half of the front bumper of my car was pulled off, along with the shroud (plastic mold that protects the underside of the car).

There was a bit of an adrenaline rush as this was happening.

The final result was that my car was damaged but driveable and no one was injured. We called my sister and she and her husband came with duck tape - which we used to keep the front bumper attached to the car so we could drive it.

Afterwards we followed them back to their house for a Mother's Day meal. (She  had celebrated Mother's Day with one of her children and their kids the day before.) This was the first Mother's Day for our own siblings without our Mom who passed away in January.

All told, my brother and I were on the side of the highway for about an hour, with non-stop traffic rushing by us. The immediacy of the incident didn't really leave much room for thinking about anything else, including how great a Mom we had been blessed with.

Now that time has lessened the impact of that afternoon journey, what's left isn't concern about my car, but sheer thankfulness. Being thankful that no one was hurt (my brother, myself or any other motorist). Being thankful that we made it to my sister's house and were able to share a meal together, honoring the memory of our Mom. Being thankful that I had car insurance that will pay for most of the damage. Being thankful that I could drive the car home, and, the next day find a good body shop a five minute drive from my home. Being thankful that I could get a rental car from a company that comes to your home to pick you up, for free.

Being thankful for the realization that what's truly important in life aren't the things we own but the relationships that we share.