Merry Christmas...Baby.

 Got the old...Dollhouse, up...on the Sideboard.

That's about, all I got done...yesterday.

Today, was another story.

Run...Run...Run.

oh my. 

Had some retail shopping to do...and, much needed groceries...to grab.

What a mess.

God...Knows, how much I dislike 'retail'...shopping, anytime, but...especially, this time of year.

; ) 

I Played a 'John' Card, when he was sick... <3

: )

Parked as close as I could...to the stores, no matter what the 'Signs' said....

and hobbled my way through.

{Never a 'Handicapped' Spot, or...in a Fire Lane. ; ) }

I, thought to myself...

If anyone has the 'notion' to stop me, well...Let's Git 'er On!!!

; )

I was wearing my old...Black Leather Jacket, and, most likely...looked a lot...Tuffer, than I am.

Who...knows.

; )

Last night, I remembered what 'Today'...is.

oh my.

It's been 37 years...since, I was Given...another Chance.

On December 20th, 1983....I was in the worst car accident of my life.

{I was in a bad one...7 years prior, too, but...That, December 20th. One, should've done me in.}

I was coming home...from work, I was a Waitress.

Mid Afternoon. Good weather.

Roads...clear.

A Lumber Truck....pulled out in front of me, at an intersection....where I had the right of way.

I was running about 50 mph.

He pulled out, just...as I was coming through...like, I wasn't there.

I, couldn't stop.

I remember....bracing for impact.

Had the brake...Hard...to the floor.

My arms, were Locked...on the steering wheel.

{No seat belt...Law, then. }

Then...all Hell Broke Loose, in Slow...Motion.

That '77 Ford LTD, that I So Hated Driving...saved my life.

{The Trans Am...I'd been driving, had a chipped tooth, in it's transmission, and was down for a bit.}

That Ford...took out the Rear Axle...of that Massive Lumber Truck, and...we Spun...Straight South, down 151, like we were Intentionally...Spinnin' Donuts, in the Center of the Highway...

about a Football Field, long.

oh my.

I remember, when we came to rest....panicking.

I couldn't catch my breath.

My legs were pinned, between the seat, and the dash.

{My knees, had actually gone through the dash, radio....everything.

My face...hit the steering wheel, cut my nose in half.}

 Had the wind...knocked completely out of me.

I...couldn't open the driver's door.

I felt...trapped.

All I could think of, the car was going to explode...like I'd seen on T.V.

I kept slamming my shoulder against the door, but...it wouldn't open.

Then, a calmness...came over me, and said....

"Try The Other Door."

<3

It opened right...up.

: )

I crawled out, on to the highway...then,...it hit me.

I'd Just...Killed Someone.

I limped...to the center of Highway 151, looking, searching...for the point of impact.

Trying to See...if Anyone...was moving.

: ( : ( : ( 

There Stood a Man, at the Intersection....

he had Winter Coverall's on.

He was Standing, in the Center...of the Highway, like me.

Oh My God...

<3

I began...Running...Limping...Towards Him...

and...

Him, to Me!!!

We Embraced...in the Middle of Highway 151.

So Grateful...We'd Both, Survived.

<3 <3 <3 

We, both...thought...we'd Killed...the other.

It was Such... a Relief, to Hold That Man...in my Arms.

<3 <3 <3 

Last night...I dug through the closet...and, found my Old...Waitress Uniform, I was wearing...that day, and slipped it on.

Haven't looked at it, in all of these years.

Don't know...why, I kept it, but...remember...feeling, it should be saved. <3

It was dusty...from hanging in the closet.

: )

It...still...fits.

Then...slipped on, the Black...Leather Jacket, John...gave me for Christmas, that I was wearing...that Fateful...

Day.

Priceless.

Priceless.

This...is my Best Christmas...Gift, Ever.

Just...like then.

<3 <3 <3 

'Grateful'

'Grateful'

'Grateful'

Love to You...

Prayers, for All.

Barb C.