Car Crashes and Chance

I have just bought a new car. It’s a very nice car thanks for asking. Not a posh one or a sporty one, but it’s nice. Today is the second day I’ve driven it. Didn’t need to go anywhere but I thought I would give it a run out. Get to know its quirks and how all the toys work.

It was going well. The day was nice, and I was having a little tootle. All was well with the world. I was at peace with everything and feeling very beneficent, serene even.

I then found myself driving down a village street with not a vehicle in sight.

I may have been humming (I wasn’t humming…. I never hum…no one hums).

So, I was a bit surprised to find myself travelling sideways. “This is odd” I thought to myself ruefully. I always was inciteful. “What has led to this occurrence?” I asked no one in particular.

What it was a lady driver t-boning me in her car. Now I am not going to make some stupid comment about women drivers, but the fact remains she was in fact a she.

Despite the fact my brand-new car is brightly colored, rather tall and prominent, all my lights were on, and it was a nice clear day with no sun blinding anyone, she swears she didn’t see me.

It was a shock let me tell you. Both parties were shocked by this accident. Her daughter in her car was interested but bored (a typical teenager really) but thankfully no worse for wear. Everything was amicable and we each understood it was what it was – accident…one that was her fault. Both of us thankful no one was hurt.

Its now in the hands of the insurance wonks.

This was the second time I have driven the car. It has less than thirty miles on the clock.

Nice day then bang.

And that’s the thing really. Accidents, other’s actions, and sheer chance or bad luck changes everything. For me it is a minor inconvenience. Trivial really. The damage will be repaired, and I will be on my merry way. But the thing is for others it isn’t so. For some one single instant in time changes their lives forever. You start your day full of plans, full of potential and hope and then everything changes. It can be for the good or it can be the end of your story.

My mother always said that it was a good thing we don’t know what lies ahead for us. Maybe she was right. I have seen tragedies and lives destroyed. People full of life, love, and so much talent, destroyed. Some died, some physically damaged. Loss and heartbreak. Futures lost; children unborn; love unloved.

They didn’t know what would happen. We don’t know what will happen.

It’s a scary thing life.