Today I am thankful for split second timing.

11.23.2020

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I witnessed an accident on my way home tonight. Car versus skateboard. It was one of those scenarios that seemed to play out in slow motion, although I’m sure in reality it happened in a flash. I’ll spare you the details, but basically a car failed to see a skateboarder crossing in the crosswalk as the car made a right turn. It was terrifying.

The driver stopped immediately and got out of her car to see if the skateboarder was ok. By the time I drove through the intersection and pulled over (maybe 20 seconds) the skateboarder had gotten up on his own and walked to the sidewalk. I’m sure he was injured, but I was so relieved to see that he was alive and able to get up. Thank you, God! There was a police officer directing traffic due to some construction down the way. He must’ve seen the whole thing, because he was there before I could even call 911.

The skateboarder was so lucky. So incredibly lucky. If he’d been even a half of a second later in crossing the street the driver would have hit him straight on instead of at an angle. If the car had been going even a smidge faster, it could have had an entirely different outcome.

I’m thankful for the skateboarder’s guardian angel, for good favor on him, and for a happy outcome to what could have been a tragic incident. I feel like I witnessed a small miracle tonight. It wasn’t my miracle, but I think that there must be a reason I was privy to that moment. Let it serve as a reminder to me to always be extra vigilant and careful when approaching a crosswalk. And, let it be a reminder to me that life can change in an instant, so I should never take a moment of it for granted.