The Almost Car Wreck
A few years ago, I was an excited 20-something dressed to the nines for a date. I was on the left-hand side of a highway with very few exits and always 100% of the time busy and full of cars going 70+ miles. I was surrounded by cars with less than a foot between me and them.
You can probably see where I’m going with this, but this is when I saw a white SUV twice the size of my Jeep Compass swerving behind me to merge. I was about to be hit.
I swerved to the left, hitting dirt.
Every moment after this I can still remember with full clarity. Three things saved me that day.
My Dad
An old man in a red convertible
God for giving me both of them in that moment.
I lost control of my car at that moment, I spun 360 degrees, and twelve cars passed me by in an instant, the White SUV included. At the same time, I did as my dad taught me to do. Go with the loss of control. If my car turns right go right, if left, go left!
After the first spin, my car continues its second 360 in the opposite direction. Six more cars pass me by.
Again my spin continues, but this time I spot a red convertible sitting in the middle of the road slowing down and stopping traffic.
On my fourth 360 spin, my car finally comes to a complete stop. I am now facing the red convertible and an old man driving it. He waved to the highway shoulder and I pulled my car over, full of adrenalin, and proceeded to have a panic attack.
I stepped out of my car shaking and this old man had also pulled over. He asked me if I was ok, hugged me, and told me he was impressed with how I handled what had happened.
I 100% cried hugged him back, thanked him, called my dad, and thanked him too(Even if he was very unemotional about it. But to be fair I did call him and thank him for saving my life so . . . I laugh about this now.) and we both went on our way.
I will be eternally grateful to that old man in his Red Convertable. I never got his name I’ve never seen him again. I can’t even remember what he looked like. But if you ever read this THANK YOU! You saved my life in more ways than one.
This was quite frankly the scariest thing that has ever happened to me.
1. Why Is This Story Important?
Well for one I could have died or been seriously injured and I will never forget that. Life is short ya’ll. don’t ever forget that.
The reason I tell you this story is because it’s become a mantra to me. Where do I find my Red Car when things get bad or I can’t figure something out?
You don’t know if it’s there or when it will appear. Sometimes you won’t notice it’s there until your journey has ended. But that Red Car is there helping you when you really 100% need it.
Find your Red Car.
Thank it.
Live your life to the fullest.
2. Finding That Red Car Is The Help You Didn’t Know You Needed
Whenever I look back at things that have happened to me it’s always been the people you don’t realize you need that have helped the most.
I didn’t know I needed that Red Convertible and the old man driving it that day.
I’m glad he was there anyway.
When I got sick, I needed help.
It took two years to find it.
I found my Red Car in a doctor who listened and then helped.
When I was angry at the world and wanted an out. I just wanted to be liked not bullied.
I found my Red Car in the advice given to me by someone I respect.
When I dealt with the pain doctor after doctor told me wasn’t there.
I found my Red Car with a doctor who found the reason and helped me fix it.
No drugs, no surgery just exercise.
3. I Hope You Find Your Red Car
My car spinning out was real, My illness was real, My emotions were real, My pain was real, and despite others not believing me I found help and I took it gratefully.
I write this in the hope you find my writing helpful. That you know you are not alone and that you have the courage to reach out and find your Red Car.
I hope you find your version of your Red Car, whether you find it here or you find it in the people around you.
That Old Man In The Red Convertable is there you just don’t know it yet.
4. Subscribe And Join Me On This Journey
I’ll be writing about my life, how I discovered I had food allergies to Wheat, Gluten, and Nuts, and what I’m doing now without depriving myself of good food.
How I navigate stress and all the stressful things in life.
What I’m doing as I stabilize my shoulder after dislocating it. And general fitness stuff because I love to be active. All without burning out.
Just a normal lady writing about her life.
Please subscribe and join me on this journey of a life lived happy and healthy.
Wauw, how lucky for that red car. It's crazy on how many moments in our life, just a split second difference would've turned our lives around;
And even though nothing bad happened with the accident, the new direction it gave your life is transformational. You might have never gotten these beautiful insights otherwise.
Good work, Sarrah :)