Karma Got Me!

I know this is a dog blog, but I feel that the following story needs to be shared.  This story does, however, follow this blog's purpose of helping others and making a difference.



Ben & I live in North Carolina on the coast.  We haven't seen snow since we moved here almost two years ago.  We grew up in Indiana and lived in Connecticut for a few years.  Snow is a normal thing for us.  Here in North Carolina, however, snow is quite a big deal....even just an inch.

At work on Friday, everyone was talking about the snow in the forecast.  I was completely skeptical as they falsely predicted it the week before (Ben still got a snow delay by the way!).  Customers were quite worried and people were thoroughly freaking out about the snow.  I was quite vocal with my thoughts that snow is not a big deal at all!  Just remain calm and you should be just fine on the roads.

Just before the end of my shift, it started snowing.  I couldn't believe it actually snowed here!  It was barely even cold enough.  I was quite excited about the snow.  I love snow, and I SUPER love playing with my pups in the snow.  Cooper hadn't seen snow in two years, so I was so excited for him!

My shift was coming to an end, but I stayed just a bit late to help one last customer.  This customer just so happened to be from Ohio, and we were discussing how people around here freak out over just a little bit of snow.  He thanked me for my help, and I clocked out.  I was so excited to head home and get some great photos of the kids in the snow!

The roads weren't too bad for my drive home, but the snow was definitely sticking.  I went slowly and remained calm behind the wheel.  I turned off the main highway onto a two lane road.  There were some cars a safe distance in front of me, and we were all going pretty slow at 40 mph.  (The speed limit was 55 mph.)

I was so cocky about my driving skills in the snow. I thought, "I am an Indiana girl.  I can handle six inches of snow.  What is one little inch going to do?"

Well....

It did just enough.  Even though I have driven in the snow TONS of times and was being super careful, this happened:

 
When I was going around the curve, my car started to fishtail.  I have had this happen before, so I knew what to do.  I let off the gas, I didn't brake, and I steered to overcome the fishtail.  I was straightening myself out and thoroughly thought I was going to be just fine when I saw a car coming from the opposite direction.  I knew I wouldn't get straight in time.  That's when I tapped my brake and steered for the ditch.  I didn't want to chance hitting another car, hurting another driver, or freaking them out and causing a pile-up.

Sorry, Karma.  I shouldn't have been so cocky about the snow, but I promise I learned my lesson!

Immediately after my accident, a man stopped to make sure I had help on the way before he went on his way.  I did.  My sweet husband was on his way.  He wasn't even mad, but maybe that's because he knew what he was getting into when he married me.  I am not exactly graceful!

Several other cars kept going by, but then I saw two cars slowing to a stop.  It was a very nice married couple.  They came over to my car and made sure I was okay.  I told them I was fine. (Nothing was hurt but my pride!)  I told them I had help on the way, but they didn't leave.  They insisted on waiting with me until help arrived.  They even let me sit in their toasty warm vehicle while we waited!

They were a military couple, just like us!  Laura and her husband (Danny, I think) were truly awesome people!   They could have just kept driving by like so many other people did, but they made sure I was okay and didn't leave me alone in such a bad spot.  Laura and I even had a good chuckle about how Karma got me!

Then a very nice police officer showed up.  He thought Laura and Danny knew me, and was very surprised by their generosity with helping a complete stranger.  He wanted them to go on their way since the roads were dangerous, so I thanked them, shook their hands, and said goodbye.  They helped make my not so fun experience a much more pleasant one!

I sat in the officer's car while we waited for the tow truck and Ben.  The officer was so very nice, too!

Even though this wasn't how I planned on spending my day, I believe it all happened for a reason.  You never know.  Maybe having that officer sitting on that curve with his lights saved someone else from having an even worse accident.  I could have saved a life!  (I know that is reaching, but you never know!)  And what if I hadn't stayed that extra fifteen minutes to help that one last customer at work?  Maybe I would have gotten home just fine, but maybe I would have fishtailed at a worse time with a large truck in the opposite lane.  It could have been much worse.  I am thankful that I still was able to come home to my husband and my pups.  (It was sad, however, that I got home after dark so we couldn't take awesome snow photos of the kids.)

 
My poor Sunfire was towed out of the ditch, but it wouldn't run anymore.  The muffler was bent very badly and needed to be replaced.  Next month will mark my 11 year anniversary with my car.  Although the damage is fixable, Ben and I have decided to retire the Sunfire.  It has been a good little car, but it is time for it to go frolic in the big parking lot in the sky!

Another silver lining....Ben and I are looking at SUVs to buy.  Do you even realize how many dogs we can fit in one of those?  Now that's a definite happy ending!!!

Be safe out there, and don't forget that Karma is always watching.  If we could all be like Laura and Danny, the world would be a better place!

As always, please consider adopting your next best friend at your local shelter or rescue group.  You most certainly won't regret it!

Thanks for stopping by!

-Laura