Close calls

A few days ago Dennis and I were driving along a main road on our way home from shopping. 
As we were waiting for a light to change, suddenly I saw Den go from being relaxed, 
to straightening out his arms and grabbing both sides of the steering wheel tightly. 
But what I noticed most was his odd breathing. 
Before I could even ask what was wrong I thought to myself that he must suddenly be sick or in pain.

I was alarmed, but it was all happening so quickly. 
By the time I got out the words, "What's wrong??" 
he was breathing a sigh of relief and said, "I was trying to brace myself. 
That car behind ours was coming right at us. 
I was sure it was going to hit us, but swerved out at the last second." 

So I was relieved Dennis was not having a heart attack, 
and he was relieved we didn't get hit hard from behind.

Then this morning as I was out walking on the busy street behind our house, 
my shoe bumped up against part of a sidewalk that was coming up, and I went flying. 
I didn't just fall down but sort of tripped and then bounced a few steps before I went tumbling. 
If I hadn't been walking so fast in the first place I would have been able to catch myself better. 
Centrifugal force is what Dennis calls it.

My knees are bruised and my hands have concrete burns on them, but I'm okay. 
No broken bones. 
My mom had a similar tripping experience once, and broke her arm. 
Those buckled up sidewalks are dangerous.

These 2 incidences reminded me today of one of the closest calls I've ever heard. 
Tyler had recently moved to Provo to attend BYU. 
He wasn't use to driving in the snow yet. 
So in trying to stop as he was approaching a red light, 
his car slides somewhat into the intersection just as a bus is going through. 
So close that the bus swipes off his front license plate 
and sends it flying, landing 15-20 yards away in the gutter. 
Now that was a close call.

Have you ever wondered how many close calls you have that you aren't even aware of?


And this was almost as shocking.
Dennis eating popcorn in a theater today!
Never have I seen this in the 13 years I have known him.

One of our kids gave us a theater gift card for Christmas...
so he seemed very happy to have money left on the card for popcorn!

And I just thought he didn't like popcorn.
I didn't realize it was because he's just too cheap frugal.

The truth is, he has a very hard time spending money on himself.
Unlike me.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad you're ok, Jill. That happened to me once (tripped on a crack in the sidewalk with open sandals on) and I broke a toe that took 6 weeks to heal. You're lucky you just got some bruises and scrapes.
I'm to same as Dennis. I never buy popcorn at movies. Too cheap. What movie were you guys watching? Did you like it?
darlene

Karen Mortensen said...

Good thought today Jill. Sometimes I wonder about the same thing. I love it when things happen and how you see God's protecting hand in all of it. The it could have been worse thing. I hope you are okay from your fall. That is awful. My mom had something like that happen when she was walking McKenzie to school.

Got to love Dennis and the popcorn. Good for him.

Dad and Susan said...

Sorry to hear you got hurt. Those close calls in your blog were interesting, but Dennis eating popcorn was really scary. Enjoyed this post. Love, Dad and Susan

Dennis said...

The truth is I ate less than 1/4 of the bag, then set it down. Jill wouldn't have any so we threw it away. It wasn't nearly as good as I thought it would be.

-Den

Rebecca said...

Oh I am so sorry you fell. I hate it when that happens. I am glad you are ok and didn't break anything! The worst part is looking around to see if anyone saw you fall. What movie did you see?

Grandma Honey said...

Actually Rebecca,I was walking near a very busy street and when I first went down I was hoping someone would see me and come help. But I soon realized I was okay and walked home.

The movie: The Vow

Susan Anderson said...

Such an interesting post with the close calls (so glad you guys are okay and hope you won't be too sore).

And that is hilarious about the popcorn. Who knew??

;)

Eileen said...

So sorry about your fall, and glad to hear that you are alright!

Something very similar happened to me a few years ago. I was walking to meet a friend for coffee, and I don't know what I tripped on, but I went flying! And I had a few birthday gifts in hand for my friend, and the coffee mug I had gotten for her broke. I was more embarrassed than hurt, and I was happy that no one was around to see (or so I thought), I got up and brushed myself off, and then I hear a man yell, "Hey, lady, are you alright?" It was a truck driver that happened to be driving by and saw me fall. I gave him a 'thumbs up' and he gave one back and we were both on our way again.

I often think about the close calls in life that we don't even know about too. And I especially think of the close calls when I see little ones climbing on rocks, and benches, and things not meant for them to be on, and I see them slip and fall and my heart lurches, but they are either laughing or just getting up and going about their business, and I think to myself that their Guardian Angels must be working overtime!

Nice post, Jill.
Love and Prayers,
Eileen

Holly Decker said...

silly question but how do you do that cross out words effect? i have wondered forever when i see it on so many blogs.

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