Sandy Supposes....

What is considered life-shaking?

         As I understand it this prompt is asking if I've ever experienced an earth-shaking life or death situation. My immediate response to this is no. At no time have I ever believed my life to be in jeopardy.

         Now has my heart simultaneously skipped a beat and hammered in my chest? Has my pulse quickened and thundered in my ears? Have I had to remind myself to breathe? Yes. To say I've experienced more than my fair share of accidents is not an exaggeration. But did I consider that my life was in peril? No.

         Even as the boat-sized Oldsmobile 98 sedan I was speeding in along Highway 401 veered onto the gravel shoulder, skidded and executed a full two slow motion somersaults before slamming back onto all four of its tires I did not think to be mortally terrified. I was sixteen and impervious to the very real possibility that serious bodily harm or death could have struck me. At no time did I fear this stunt would not end well. What happened happened in the blink of an eye. My life did not flash before my eyes. One minute I was cruising along a major highway and the next my vehicle displayed gymnastic tendencies. At the time I was driving solo and I continued on to my destination without any more mishaps.

         At this age I also survived two bicycle versus vehicle crashes and again I did not believe I had evaded death. For some inexplicable reason I was certain I would walk away, although in reality I hobbled. In both instances I was the hapless cyclist knocked down by careless drivers. One fellow failed to obey a stop sign and the other admitted to not seeing me as he backed out of his driveway.

         Sure, I picked up some road rash, scrapes and bruises, but I had endured worst at the age of fourteen. Picture the final day of school and the start of summer recess. I celebrated with a pedal across town to the outdoor pool . Afterwards, I chose to careen down the steepest hill forgoing braking until I'd reached the connecting street. I wiped out on loose gravel and crashed onto asphalt, an unforgiving surface.

         Besides the inevitable road rash, blooming bruises, scrapes and whiplash I fractured my left thumb and gashed my left shin with a broken wheel spoke. Of course, the possibility of an jury or two crossed my mind as I pitched to the pavement. I could see that end result. Was it earth-shaking? Nah, it was just another experience that I lived to relegate to my string of unfortunate luck, or lack thereof.

          Many times, too many times, I have tumbled/hurtled down flights of stairs. As I bounce and bump from jarring step to jarring step I curse the new set of injuries I will accumulate. Imminent death doesn't factor into my thoughts. The rough fall is admittedly teeth-rattling, but never life-shaking. The numerous sprains, strains, and fractures are a long way from my heart as a brother-in-law points out.

         If it is at all feasible that my klutziness or propensity for accidents could be passed on via my questionable genes than my son, Chris, is carrying on my unenviable legacy. He too is no stranger to accidents. As I see it he has endured every scenario presented within a first aid manual. So far, he has avoided life or death situations. At no time has his mortality hung in the balance. He has provided fodder for a few of my stories.

Just One of Many "Christastrophes"  (13+) An army tank,an 8-year old,several volunteer firemen,and one anxious Mom meet one day... #1991734 by SandraLynn

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