I completed my move this past Sunday. Then, I spent most of Monday running legal errands to stay in compliance with registration law and probation. Somehow doing this only made my to-do list get even longer, but I won't get into that lest I bury the lede.
I was on my way to Natchitoches to take my chances with the OMV where I needed to change the address on my driver's license. I also needed to go see about setting up a new Internet service account (I'm currently posting this through the mobile hotspot on my phone). I had just stopped at the light in Clarence when suddenly there was a huge impact that jarred my whole vehicle.
I checked my rearview mirror and didn't see anything, then I saw debris flying to my left and realized that I'd been clipped from behind by an 18 wheeler. I'd seen him following me earlier. He must have been driving way too fast. I'm just thankful that he was able to swerve. Had he not, I probably wouldn't be walking around and talking right now.
Almost immediately, there were multiple people checking on me to make sure I was OK. One guy who said he used to be a deputy in Grant Parish, told me just to stay put until the police got there. From inside the car, I couldn't even tell what had happened. So far, I seem to have come through with only mild injuries. My left shoulder and the side of my neck are sore and I have some soreness on the middle part of my back on the right side. I also suffered a gouge wound on the side of my right index finger facing my thumb. That's been the most irritating injury so far because I'm right handed. I know sometimes these things take time to make themselves evident, so I'm prepared to kind of take stock of of how I'm feeling physically for the next couple of months.
The officer who responded was kind and professional. The driver who hit me was apologetic. I think I surprised everyone by treating him with grace. He made a mistake. That mistake couldn't be undone. He was certainly experiencing a lot of stress and guilt and worry himself. There was no reason for me to treat him unkindly. It's not like I've never made a mistake. Maybe being in a situation where I'm asking others to grant me grace makes me more inclined to dole it out myself.
There was a man selling watermelons at the corner where the accident happened. He was one of the first to come check on me. He even offered to give me a ride home, but I'd already gotten my roommate to come pick me up. After the car was towed away, he asked me to come sit with him until my ride got there. He'd suffered a stroke about 10 years ago and had regained a lot of his mobility, but he still didn't have good fine motor control on that side. He and his wife grow produce and he sells it at the corner there. I'm going to look for him in the future and make sure to buy from him (and visit) whenever I can.
The rest of the day went as well as can be expected. My insurance agent got me into a rental before I was even ready for one. Since my roommate was with me, I asked her to come with me to the DMV and I was able to change my address on my license. It was the most pleasant DMV experience I'd ever had. They kept the line moving and everyone was personable and professional. I got great service at the AT&T store when I went to order new Internet service. The people at the rental car place were great.
I'm still not sure I've fully processed how close I came to death or disability. But, my attitude throughout the day yesterday was one of gratitude and love. So, maybe I did process it all very quickly.
I allowed myself today to rest and try to do some unpacking. I didn't accomplish much, but I needed the rest after three very busy days of moving and running errands (not to mention almost getting splattered). It wasn't until the afternoon that I realized that I'd gotten a moderate sunburn standing around in the middle of the highway for a couple of hours.
It was heartwarming to be reminded that people generally do default to concern for their fellow man. I so often feel marginalized with my status as a sex offender, but I'm still a person and people still want me to be OK. Admittedly, probably none of those people knew about my status. But, even if I had a big sticker that said "THIS CAR IS BEING DRIVEN BY A SEX OFFENDER," I'm pretty sure people would still rush to help someone who's been struck by a big truck.
Monday had been a really tough day with all the stress of being a sex offender on probation and trying to stay in compliance with all of the regulations after a move. This accident was a reminder that while all of that stuff is an obstacle, life is still precious. It's still worth living (though it is perhaps regrettable that it sometimes takes a near death experience for us to remember that).
