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Ten Things of Thankful: Down but Not Dead Edition

Well, this week has been a really fun one, and I intended this post to be filled with the adventures of our days.  I've been thankful for: 

(1) a get-together with friends to celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day, (2) spending time with two of my daughters at Universal Studios, (3) introducing my daughter to one of my friends who also has sphynx cats
(4) being able to take dinners to people who were recovering from surgeries
(5) a clean aquarium
(6) my parents' 53rd wedding anniversary (and my grandson's 1st birthday)
(7) going to the temple with John
(8) spending time with my daughter and grandchildren at the zoo
(9) my association with the women in church
(10) John.  We share thoughts, hopes, and dreams.  And sometimes we share emergency response events--like the one tonight, which suddenly changed the focus of the post.

We were driving home from our date.  We were in the carpool lane, when we suddenly heard a motorcycle approaching, engine revving. I glanced out my window to see who was coming up so quickly, and what I saw was a motorcycle on its side, sliding right beside our car, with no rider on board.  A glance in the side mirror revealed a figure in the road.  We brought our car to a stop.  The motorcycle stopped next to our car.  I quickly dialed 9-1-1, and John ran back to check on the rider.  Thankfully, he was alive and in pretty good shape, considering that he had just been thrown off his bike and landed on the hard road.  After I spoke to the dispatcher, I also went back to check on the young man.  I called his mom for him. (Well, I tried--it went to voice mail, so I just left my name and number. I made sure to leave her number with the police when they showed up and dismissed John and me.)  Thankfully, Christian (that is the rider's name) was dressed appropriately for motorcycle riding. He had on a helmet and leather pants, jacket, and gloves. Thankfully, he seemed to be able to move all his limbs (though we all encouraged him to just stay still until paramedics arrived). Thankfully, his skidding motorcycle traveled a straight path between vehicles, and I don't think it actually hit anyone. I didn't see what happened, but according to Christian, a vehicle attempted to cross the double yellow lines of the carpool lane while he was splitting lanes (splitting lanes is legal here in CA for motorcycles). I'm not sure who hit whom, or if there was even a collision, as the SUV driver wasn't around, but whatever happened, it could have been much, much worse.  Thankfully, it wasn't.  Thankfully, even though the driver of the SUV didn't stick around, many other people did stop, and many people called 9-1-1.  Thankfully, police, fire, and paramedics responded quickly and efficiently.  

Be careful out there, folks.  Watch out for motorcyclists.  Don't cross double lines.  Hug your loved ones.  Pray for Christian.  




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Comments

  1. Motorcycles are often missed in mirrors and at intersections. Wyoming DOT has been running a lot of public service ads to look and look again - check for motorcyclists.

    Christian had guardian angels on the road that day!

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    Replies
    1. It certainly could have been worse. His mother called me this morning, and promised to keep me updated on his condition. He remains in our prayers.

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  2. Gosh, it's SO scary, isn't it, how a person's entire life can be changed or ended in the blink of an eye...and to come close to a situation like that, even when the outcome has been as good as possible, is a profoundly affecting thing. I'm SO glad Christian was ok, and that you both were around to help.

    Thank goodness for people like you, who stop and help :)

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    Replies
    1. With the exception of the SUV driver, I think EVERYONE stopped to help. And yes, it is very scary!

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  3. The motorcycle incident sounds perfectly terrifying. I am so glad it was no worse than it was.
    Talking like a pirate day sounds like one of those things that starts off really fun and gets exhausting fast!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was terrifying! The whole experience seems a bit surreal.

      As for the pirate talk, I only used an "ahoy" or two and called it good. ;-)

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  4. Wow, Kristi. How frightening for you guys, but how wonderful to be able to help in a situation that could have been catastrophic and tragic. My prayers for Christian.

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    Replies
    1. While it was definitely frightening for us, I'm sure it was even more so for Christian.

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  5. Wow that is so scary. Thankfully you guys were there to help him and that he is OK. There have been a lot of motorcycle fatalities as of late in our area on the county roads because cars are not watching for them.
    And I missed talk like a pirate day...arggghhh :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There were lots of people that stopped and helped; I think we were all shook up a bit, but none as much as Christian, of course. His mother actually called me yesterday; she said she'll keep me posted on his recovery.

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  6. Terrifying! So glad he seemed reasonably OK and that you and John and the others who stopped were there to help so quickly. Unbelievable! Motorcycles scare the hell out of me; a cousin's wife died on the back of a motorcycle and very nearly him, too. Terrible. And I just heard the radio talking about something passed by our state recently allowing drivers to proceed through a red light intersection as though it's a stop sign as long as the way is clear. It has to do with cyclists whose vehicles are too light to trip the traffic light sensor and they wait there forever. somehow, I see this being a very bad thing in an already dangerous driving state.
    The rest of your list is all kinds of awesome, too! Have a great (and safe) week. Keep us posted on Christian?

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    Replies
    1. I'm so sorry about your cousin and his wife. That new law sounds very dangerous. (Though I don't drive a motorcycle, and my cars are heavy enough to trip the sensor, I have been at intersections where the turn light never changes, so I understand the frustration--but still, it sounds dangerous.)
      Christian's mom has been updating me. His right hand was badly broken, but the surgeon was awesome. Prayers are still appreciated, as he still has other injuries to his leg, and, of course, recovery will take a while.

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  7. Being a biker myself (or I wás, once) this sounds like stuff nightmares are made of. I have no idea what you mean by splitting lanes, but I guess it's got to do with driving between the cars? Not a smart thing to do and here you can see why. I hope he will be allright. You are the kindest people when it comes to helping others.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, splitting lanes is driving between the cars, and it is legal here in California. However, the SUV that was crossing a double yellow line was acting illegally. No matter who was in the right or in the wrong, though, it was the motorcyclist who suffered.
      Christian's mom continues to update me, and it sounds like he is improving--probably not as quickly as he would like, but he is making progress.

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  8. Whew! I'm so glad everyone was safe. I have friends and relatives who ride motorcycles and they will all tell you that proper attire can save life and limb! Whew!

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  9. What a story you've got to tell. Motorcycles frighten me, but I know many people love them. There are all kinds of dangers out there. Just glad it wasn't worse and that you could be there to comfort him. Nice that you are being made aware of his recovery. Would ease the mind I'd imagine, after seeing that happen to someone.
    Happy 1st Birthday to your grandson.

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