Having posted twice about hugs, I need one. (My gal will be home soon, and the chinchilla has already provided a very nice cuddle).
I got in a minor car accident today in my brand-spankin' new Toyota Solara. While I was on my way home on crowded Hill Avenue here in Pasadena, a minivan made a sudden swerve into my lane, sending me into a third lane where I was smacked hard by a pickup truck. The minivan's driver slowed, stared at me for a good long while, and then (inexplicably and maddeningly) sped off. The driver of the pickup and I pulled over to the side of the road, shook hands, and exchanged our pertinent information. Happily, a kind witness appeared, brandishing the license number of the minivan and assuring me that the accident had not been my fault. (The witness was named Harvey; blessings on Harvey tonight!)
I've spent the last two hours dealing with my insurance company and with filing a police report. It's a minor thing, really. Though the right front side of my car is badly damaged, it will be repaired perfectly, I'm sure. I have rental reimbursement for the time it's in the shop. No one was hurt. But after two hours of being cheerful and patient and competent (lots of joking about with the warm and sympathetic police officer who took the report), I am home. I'm hungry, tired, and frankly feel like bursting into tears. Sometimes, being a grown-up is hard.
Still, if getting into a minor traffic accident is my worst problem today -- and it is -- who can say I am not blessed?
Oh Hugo, I am sorry about your fender bender. It's frustrating to have something new get knocked about. Even when people are kind, it just takes so much time to deal with all the things one has to deal with, esp. with cars in So. Cal.
May I say your posts have been wonderful lately. You honor your readers with your honesty. The window into your heart re your need for friendships with men is a treasure, and I for one will hold it carefully. Thank you.
I see glimpses of clean fire in your writings on touch/hugs and how you care for your students, and your passion for making space in the church for men and women to relate to one another without fear. I wish I could express how much that means to me, how much I am healed through it and how certain I am that many others are too.
Dana
Posted by: Dana Ames | June 16, 2004 at 09:10 PM
I offer my sympathy; it's always heartbreaking to have an accident, especially with a new car. I can relate; my husband totaled his 9-month old Honda today. I praise the powers that be that both you and he were uninjured. I offer a hug and words of appreciation for your honesty, warmth, intellectual and extremely well written posts, and hope that you're feeling better about the day.
Posted by: susan | June 17, 2004 at 12:03 AM
Car incidents of all kinds tend to really rattle me, especially since my sister's accident. Over last weekend I was nearly in THREE accidents, all caused by drivers doing exactly what that person in the minivan did to you. The last one left me crying all the way to the hospital (going to visit Ginny, weirdly) so I know exactly how you feel!
I'm really sorry about the accident but I'm glad you had a kind person come forward with the plate number!
Posted by: Lorie | June 17, 2004 at 06:27 AM
Glad to hear you are okay Hugo!
Posted by: annie | June 17, 2004 at 10:51 AM
Ditto to what Annie said, Hugo.
I remember my angst when my then-4-year-old son accidentally ran the blade of his Tonka bulldozer the width of the door of my less-than-24-hours-old brand-new Toyota.
Both car and child survived the incident, but it was a close thing for the child.........
Posted by: Mumcat | June 17, 2004 at 11:50 AM
Glad you are okay!!
Posted by: ginger | June 22, 2004 at 12:03 PM