Sorry I’ve been a little slow with the blog this week. I want to blame it on the crash. My youngest was driving back from FSU at the end of the semester last weekend when he was slammed into by an 18-wheeler. He climbed out of the little Mazda with only a couple of bruises and a sore neck. The car looked like what happens when you’re through with a sheet of aluminum foil and crush it up into a ball. I haven’t been able to shake the image all week.
Your emails have been very kind although the dozens of you who have shared similar experiences is almost scary.
Here is a sampling of some of your notes:
My old friend and former Tampa Times’ colleague Mike Sherard wrote, “...Know the phone call all too well. Judy and I still dread the phone even ringing at night…Our son rolled his car getting on the interstate in October and I swear we went through everything you did. I was so grateful he was alive, I was giving money to the trash guys, paid a guy’s bill at the grocery store and on and on. So hang in there; there’s a bunch of us that know how you feel…damn kids.’‘
From John Swann: “First let me say I am very glad your son is OK. I am a father with a daughter in college in Arkansas and have spent many a night worry about that same call. Your article could not have come at a better time for me. I was having a really bad day and very worried about things going on right now (lack of money) and your article shook me to the core. How dare I be concerned about things like that when I have so many things to be grateful for in my life. P.S. I think I’d be looking at a bigger used care this time.’‘
Mark Tenney knew our feelings well: “Steve,...Your experience and the feelings evoked hit really close to home for Kathy and me. About three and a half years ago we had an eerily similar experience. Our oldest son John was driving home from school for Christmas break. He was involved in a serious car accident on I-75 at Payne’s Prairie (just north of the Citra exit) and his car was totaled very similar to your son’s car.
“Once we arrived in Gainesville and saw the extent of the damage to his car we wondered how he escaped unharmed. As we rummaged through all of his so-called valuables, we quickly realized how unimportant ‘stuff’ is and just how precious your children are. As we prepare to drive to Gainesville this weekend to watch John graduate from UF, your column reminded us that this blessing came very close to never being realized. Thanks again for the reminder of what is truly important in life and how quickly it can be lost.’’
Jay Botsch, who is General manager of WestShore Plaza, wrote, “Hi Steve, “This past Monday afternoon my cell phone rang with a very upset 18-year-old high school senior girl on the other end…sitting in her car moments after being struck by a vehicle that failed to stop at a traffic signal on East Lake Road. As you’ve guessed, the 18-year-old is my daughter Jennifer. I soon learned that parental helplessness is not a familiar, comfortable or welcome state for me.
“The good news is that my daughter seems to be okay. And we’re happy the other drive is okay as well…though that’s a tougher lesson to learn for an 18 year old that just lost her car/freedom. We’re also grateful to the numerous passersby that assisted my daughter from the car leading her to safety. I actually spoke with one person, a parent as well, assuring me that Jennifer was okay (never learned her name which I’m sorry about). Our thanks and praise are also extended to the Sheriff’s Dept., East Lake Fire and Rescue and Mease Countryside Emergency personnel. Simply terrific professional service at a time when you really need it.
“So I find that my wife and I are in the same reflective state about life and priorities…just as you are. I understand fully. So now that we’re bonded, let me in on any good used car leads you hear about through this story. Ha! Enjoy your son this summer.’’