No Accidents

“Lots of people love you right now.” That’s the state trooper who is taking the report on the car accident I just had on the highway. I’m rather puzzled by his remark, as he reviews the damage to my car and takes down my information. It’s even more puzzling (or is it disconcerting), that when I called the highway patrol to notify them of the accident and debris on the road they informed me that they knew about that chair and had been receiving call on it all morning. The accident happened about 1:30 in the afternoon; 15 minutes later and the trooper says the debris is still not picked-up. “They are working on it.”
What happened? It’s a beautiful, sunny day and I just had a successful meeting with a new art gallery curator. After showing me possible display spaces we shared a delightful lunch and discussed themes and dates. I’m driving home  and  bout one-and-a-half car lengths in front of me in the middle of the middle lane is a huge oversized, stuffed armchair blending-in with the color of the road laying front side down. It doesn’t take an intuitive to know hitting it straight-on isn’t a viable solution. Looking left, right, behind, left again, I “think” it’s clear on the left and move over as quickly as I can holding on tight to the wheel to keep the car straight while continuing to drive 65 mph to be sure I don’t over shoot the lane and hit the dividing wall.

Impact. Quick glance back via rear view mirror. The chair instantly disintegrates into little pieces of “logs” and splinter no longer resembling a chair. Thankfully, my car is still moving and I’m driving as if nothing unusual has happened. Of course, I feel the adrenaline pumping through every cell and atom of my being.

That adrenaline will keep on pumping for next couple of days, albeit to a much lower degree as all the follow-up to a car accident has to be done… car repair estimates, deciding do I or don’t I report to insurance company (after all who wants points and increased insurance rates), adjuster’s estimate, rental car, deciding the body repair shop. I feel my neck tightening up all over again just writing and re-living this experience.
The insurance company declares the accident my fault (Florida’s a no fault state) even though there was no “drive-around”, people or cars involved; although, since I have a 10-year clear driving record (actually it’s 17), they “forgive me” and this accident. There will be no points, no rate hikes.

It’s a week later, my birthday. I declared this my day, no work, no commitments, no email, no Facebook.

It’s a quiet day spent in nature and in doing so rejuvenating myself. Anyways, that’s my intent. I had also intended to get out early to photograph burrowing owls a little after sunrise. Instead, I overslept by an hour. And, thankfully, I did. My neighbor Gwenn just texted asking if I’d check on the oven at her house. They’re on vacation and their son just flew out this morning to join them. He believes he left the oven on. She’s right. It appears the oven may have been on all night…. smoky house and burnt food.

So the day started with the Universal reminder that when you’re “late” you’re likely exactly in right timing and right place. And, so it was a week ago, during the car accident that was no accident. The state troopers “off-handed” remark makes more sense now. And, my higher self has asked me to be at “peace” knowing all is well, even when it doesn’t appear that way.

Today, my birthday, the day I’ve given myself permission to slow down and relax reveals another truth. The stress, tension I was feeling since the accident is more than emotional, it’s physical. Holding the camera actually hurt from my head and neck to my arms and hands. Bending my head down to look at photos on back of camera’s LCD screen actually hurts too.

Not ruling out seeing medical docs, I start with alternating ice packs and heat, whirlpools and natural creams and even apple cider vinegar to reduce inflammation with a large dose of prayer. The pain has eased considerably. The next day, I visit the health store where I ordered a homeopathic two weeks earlier. They forgot to tell me my order came in. Turns out that isn’t an accident also. When the owner learns of the car accident she recommends a chiropractor she goes to for adjusting my atlas. Still need to make that appointment and I will.  
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And, the ultimate reminder that I was chosen and agreed to have that accident with that oversized stuffed arm chair, comes from the Luis at the storage unit. After picking up art from a gallery exhibit that just came down, I ask Luis if he could help take it out of my car and bring to my storage unit. He graciously agrees and asks why. I tell him about the car accident. He exclaims, “It was you. I heard it on the radio as I was leaving Nova University. They reported the car accident and debris on highway near Davie Road.” Yup, that was me. The state trooper was right. Even though, the accident was a major inconvenience, at the end of the day (well now past one week), I’m emotionally (albeit rather drained) and physically okay, the car is covered by insurance and being repaired at a top body shop and lives were surely spared. I am thankful and grateful. All is well.
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