Early Christmas Miracle
- posted by: Legends
- posted in: Uncategorized, My Life
- on: December 24, 2007
How do I even begin to explain the last 24 hours in my life. We have been visiting my parents at their house - my sister and her husband are here, the kids are having a blast, and my brother and his wife were coming up yesterday so that we could all celebrate the holidays together. Then, last night, we got a call.
My brother, Shawn, and Leslie, his wife, were on their way from Missouri in the lovely wintery mess that has attacked the midwest. Roads were bad, but they were out of what they thought was the worst of it and just out Iowa City. They should be here in about 2 hours or so. Not more than 5 minutes later, Shawn called back - they had hit an icey patch, slid, clipped the back of a semi, and were in the median. They were okay, not hurt, but shaken up and the car was not drivable.
Matt’s first response was to jump, go get his keys, and head out the door. They told him not to - the roads were way too bad. They looked fine, but there was a thin layer of ice and it wasn’t safe. So last night, in subzero weather, they sat in their car, waiting for help. A fire truck stopped on its way to an 8 car pile-up down the road. Shawn told them to keep going - they weren’t hurt and other people might need them more. So, they waited about 15 minutes and a police officer arrived and picked them up. For us, here at home, it felt like hours. In the darkness of the night, they waited in the car for help and we waited by the phone. Once we knew they were safe and sound, we went to sleep.
This morning, Matt and my dad drove to Iowa to pick them up. They accidentally missed the exit and passed their car… in total over a 30 or so miles, they counted more than 60 cars in the ditch or median and 4 semis. It was a mess. When they went to the car to get their things this morning, it had been hit by another car and was facing a different direction. We are so thankful that they were already out of the car, safe, when this happened.
Needless to say, we were all thrilled when they all arrived back here safe and sound, warm and unhurt. Shawn is still shaken up and I think that they are both looking forward to a night at home with family, but in the grand scheme of things, we all feel lucky. Last night I saw the best of family - all of us sitting, supporting each other, helping across miles to find hotels that take dogs (Betsy is their super adorable little - well not so little - puppy who was in the car with them), crying together, just holding hands and hanging on.
Tonight, we are sitting here, all together, as a family… and, it feels great. We are a very close family, but tonight… well… there are no words to describe this…
So, Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night.
Patti Smith says:
December 24th, 2007 at 11:34 pmThank God everyone is okay….I know that was horrible…Now that you have everyone close have a very Merry Christmas…..
Lynda #1749 says:
December 24th, 2007 at 11:48 pmSo glad it all ended well…how scary! Hope you have a safe and peaceful remainder of your holiday!!
pomaika`i says:
December 25th, 2007 at 12:30 amSo glad that this was a happy ending! Merry Christmas!
Julisa #2051 says:
December 25th, 2007 at 12:51 amI am so glad that your family is safe. A wonderful blessing.
Debby says:
December 25th, 2007 at 1:09 amStephanie, I’m so thankful that God protected your family and that you are together. You have a Merry Christmas and I’ll send up a prayer of thanks for God’s protection!
Sandi says:
December 25th, 2007 at 1:51 amBlessings for their saft travels home to you. Enjoy your Christmas time together.
Sandi
RaeInReno says:
December 25th, 2007 at 2:59 amThank heaven everyone is OK. Merry Christmas to all of you Stephenie!
Jennifer Nenni says:
December 25th, 2007 at 3:39 amI’m glad that everyone is OK. Enjoy the rest of your Christmas holiday together!
Laura says:
December 25th, 2007 at 3:41 amIm sorry your family had to go thru that…and thank God everyone is fine. It must have been aweful for you all….Prayers were answered, everyone is safe and sound…Enjoy your blessings and have a warm and wonderful holiday !
SherryAnn says:
December 25th, 2007 at 8:10 amSo glad to hear that your family is safe and no one is hurt. We had the same storm here and we decided to stay in and not go anywhere.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
doverdi says:
December 25th, 2007 at 8:20 amHow horrible for you all. Your family definately had an ‘angel’ looking out for them this Christmas. I am so glad to hear that everyone is well. I hope that the rest of your holiday is safe and peaceful. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Carla Robinson says:
December 25th, 2007 at 10:02 amWow! Scary stuff! So glad to hear that they are okay
Wendy Jo says:
December 25th, 2007 at 11:18 amI’m glad that everyone in your family is together now safe and sound. There’s nothing like spending the season with those you love.
kim3timemom says:
December 25th, 2007 at 12:03 pmStephenie, Oh how scary for you all. Thanking God for his hand of protection over them. So glad they are safe now. Enjoy your family time. Merry Christmas.
Brittnye says:
December 25th, 2007 at 12:41 pmI am so happy for you and your family that everyone is safe and together.
Debbie Buckland fiskateer #352 says:
December 25th, 2007 at 2:30 pmGlad to hear that you and your family are alright. Yes even us in NZ have to be careful on the roads even though it is summer. There are crazy drivers out there.
Jen B #258 says:
December 25th, 2007 at 4:13 pmStephanie, I’m so glad that your brother and sister-in-law were okay! We just drove bad roads this weekend to come back home and I am so grateful that we made it without incident. We passed lots of accidents and slideoffs along the way. Please be careful fellow Fiskateers if you have to drive on bad roads!
Kristan says:
December 25th, 2007 at 4:50 pmOh I am soooo glad to hear everyone is safe. HUGE Christmas hugs to you and your family!
Lene says:
December 25th, 2007 at 5:30 pmMan, what a scare! Very glad to hear everyone is safe!
Lisa M. Pace says:
December 25th, 2007 at 5:34 pmI am so glad all is well and you are enjoying a wonderful together.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
NANCY says:
December 25th, 2007 at 6:21 pmOH MY GOODNESS WHAT A SCARE FOR YOU ALL! SO GLAD TO HEAR THE HAPPY ENDING!!!
Lyn Dwyer says:
December 25th, 2007 at 7:20 pmOMG….so glad they’re ok Stephanie….it puts things in perspective though doesn’t it when something like this happens….it shows what the true meaning of FAMILY is….supporting one another at all times…..good and in bad….so glad that you are all together now…
Paula says:
December 25th, 2007 at 9:29 pmI’m so glad everyone was OK and you’re all safe and sound together now. Merry Christmas!
mardi says:
December 25th, 2007 at 10:06 pmIn the blink of an eye…things change. I work in a Trauma Ctr. and I see families go through some pretty scary challenges. Thank God your family was blessed. Enjoy each other!
Tamara says:
December 25th, 2007 at 11:01 pmSo glad everyone is ok! Hope you all had a lovely time together as a family, enjoying just being together.
Sharon says:
December 26th, 2007 at 12:00 amA Christmas Miracle for your family!!
Veronica says:
December 26th, 2007 at 1:03 amSo glad they got out of the car in time. The accidents are bad even in areas with good weather with so many people travelling at the same time. It must have been awful there. Glad they had a little good karma to spare! Definitely a last minute Christmas save!
Peggy Maier says:
December 26th, 2007 at 2:00 amLots of Christmas blessings there! Have a much more peaceful “rest of Christmas”!
Jennifer Muller says:
December 26th, 2007 at 2:36 amI am so glad that your family is all ok. Sometimes an event such as this really reminds us what is important. Enjoy your loved ones!
Sylvia says:
December 26th, 2007 at 9:31 amStephenie, what a touching story of family. Considering how deeply personal and emotional the time must be, thank you for sharing it. I will say a prayer for you and your family.
janetrivs says:
December 26th, 2007 at 10:05 amOMG!!!! I am glad in the end they are safe and you got to spend the day with them. I hope you had a merry Christmas despite everything that was going on…. ((HUGS))
Bonnie says:
December 26th, 2007 at 10:56 amSo glad your brother & his wife are safe & sound! Thanks for sharing your very personal story & for reminding us about what is really important!!! Enjoy the rest of your holiday!!!
BizzyBee # 2832 says:
December 26th, 2007 at 1:15 pmOh my…so happy to hear they are ok! What a scare!
Give them extra hugs !
erin yamabe says:
December 26th, 2007 at 5:43 pmso glad to hear everything turned out OK for you and your family. how very very scary.
a very belated merry christmas, steph!
jacinta says:
December 26th, 2007 at 5:46 pmI am so glad that your family was able to spend the holidays together and that your brother and his wife are fine. Family is so special.
Lisa says:
December 26th, 2007 at 8:48 pmOh my goodness, I am so glad everyone is alright. What an ordeal Stephanie!
Betsy says:
December 26th, 2007 at 10:58 pmI am so glad that no one was hurt!! I’m thankful the entire family was able to be together to give each other support at a time like that!
Cherie says:
December 27th, 2007 at 12:15 amI am so very sorry to hear about your brother & sister-in-laws accident and I am so very happy that they are okay - probably a bit sore today though? I hope your festiviteis went well considering and your visit was a memorable (happy) one. Merry Christmas!!!!
Kathleen says:
December 27th, 2007 at 1:52 amWhat a night!! Thank goodness everyone is all right and you are all together now. Family is what it is all about and yours really demonstrated this. Merry Christmas.
Sandy #1781 Wilkins says:
December 27th, 2007 at 1:27 pmI’m so glad they were safe and you were all able to enjoy your holidays. Merry Christmas!
Rita Arnold says:
December 27th, 2007 at 3:18 pmSo glad everyone is safe and sound.
For Christmas is all about FAMILY.
HAPPY 2008!
Laurie R. says:
December 27th, 2007 at 5:49 pmWow what a scary night. I am so happy to hear everyone is ok.
Kelly Jo says:
January 1st, 2008 at 1:47 pmOMG! I’m so glad everyone was safe.
We drive 400 miles to visit my family in the Buffalo, NY area and are always worried about the weather. This trip we hit snow both ways, but nothing more than white knuckled driving. Back home now!
melita says:
January 4th, 2008 at 8:21 pmSo glad to hear that everyone is alright!