I have not had a sound nights sleep in 3 years...but now I have an even harder time sleeping! Sunday night when we were driving home as I came off the exit I noticed a car was broken down. My first thought was: not the best place to stop. My second thought: I should stop to help. I often will stop to see if everyone is OK; of course only under circumstances I truly deem as safe. Jay does not always approve. I told Jason I wanted to stop, but he was in dyer need of the lavatory. As I kept driving by I noticed a family: a mother, father, toddler and a baby in the mothers arms. Now, I was kicking myself for not stopping and immediately felt guilty.
I passed a police officer giving someone a sobriety test, brought Jay to the gas station just off the exit so he could use the facilities (it was an emergency), and he agreed (only because it was a family) to turn around and go back to help them...and wouldn't you know it began to downpour!
I pulled back onto the highway, drove as fast as I could, turned around with the best intentions in my heart and found a 12 car pile up. No one was seriously hurt or injured. Of course I got out and asked everyone if they were OK. No real serious damage or issues; but I couldn't help but wonder if this pile-up occurred because of where this family pulled over. I couldn't help but feel guilty for NOT stopping. The worst part was as I took my exit home for a second time I could not find the family. I don't know if I drove by them or what?
Maybe the accident occurred because of the rain. Maybe it was due to the flashing lights on the police car. Maybe it was because of that family. So many maybes but only one heart filled with guilt.
When I look at it from..."maybe it was something meant to be" stand point. Everything happens for a reason; I had to take a deep breath and say a little prayer in thanks for my family, we had 2 healthy, sleeping babies in the back and were close to home.
Maybe I couldn't have made a difference. What if I could have? What happened to that family??? Hopefully after confessing a small burden will be lifted off my heart.
Maybe if you had stopped YOUR family would have been in that accident, so your guardian angel moved you along. You're a good person :)
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