"Mayhem Hits"

The morning could not have been more perfect for a school trip to a local pumpkin patch.   There was just the right amount of chill in the air and the sun, giving us those wonderful long autumn shadows, promised a beautiful day.   I left just early enough to stop by and pick up another teacher before heading out into the country. 

Do you remember this from last year?

 The drive would not be long; the company and conversation welcome.  We were almost to the pumpkin patch when my friend started screaming my name.  I couldn't figure out why she was screaming.  I was on my side of the road, no one was head toward me and nothing was in the road.   I suspect I took my foot off the brake when she screamed.  I saw the deer just as it collided with my car.  I will be really honest with you, I have no idea what I said.  I stopped and started to get out of the car to check on the deer, but my friend kept saying you can't stop here....you can't get out.  I am sure I must have given her the most ridiculous look.  I looked to the side there was no shoulder.  I glanced into the review mirror... stopped in back was a line of cars.   We were okay.

I did finally move my car down the road.  I will be honest with you, I was fairly paralyzed by the whole incident and upset over hitting an animal.  My passenger was the one who kept her head.   The car behind me pulled up beside me to see if we were okay.  And one of my parents turned around and came back to help. 

The buck hit the right front corner of my car and flipped over the hood.  Damage was done to the car, but no human life was harmed.    

I have spent the afternoon thinking about all the "what ifs".   What if I had seen it coming and slammed on my brakes?  What if I had swerved to try to avoid the poor animal?  With each scenario I shudder because the outcome could have been tragic.   I had a passenger in my car and the cars behind me had children aboard.  And, I will not be able to let go of those facts for awhile.

Tonight I am giving thanksgiving for having a friend with me who kept her wits about her when my brain turned to jello, and for what didn't happen. 

My car was drivable and we did head out to meet our children and their parents at the patch.    The children picked the very best pumpkins, rode on the hayride and toured a sunflower maze, done the wiser of what had happened...  just as it should be.  I didn't take the pictures I had hoped for, but the children and their parents had a good time. 

This afternoon when I told my daughter what had happened she replied "Mayhem hit you".

Cars are just metal and wires....repairable and replaceable.

May you have a fun and safe weekend.

I am going to be counting my blessings.