Replacing Worry with Peace

On Tuesday afternoon I saw a man get hit by a car while riding his bike.

It was the car in front of me that hit him, full on, making him and his bike fly close to 14 feet in the air. He landed on her windshield and then fell off onto the ground. It was terrible.

I felt like everything was going in slow motion. 

I was able to stop my car in time and then my body went numb from what I had just witnessed. Next, my reoccurring nightmare came true. I could not figure out how to use my phone. My fingers were shaking so bad. I could not turn the phone on, I could not find the dial pad, I could not dial 9-1-1 fast enough. 

I could not stop shaking. The image of him being hit and flying through the air kept replaying over and over in my mind. It was so traumatic.  I felt terrible for the man that got hit and hurt so bad  and I felt terrible for the girl that hit him. She was inconsolable. 

Thankfully, there were numerous civilians that went straight into action. It was amazing to witness so many people doing their part to help. Soon the ambulance came and he was taken to the hospital. 

Since Tuesday afternoon it has been hard to shake the trauma from witnessing that. I have been jumping at every little noise. It has been hard to calm down from it.

Last night after I put the kids to bed I got in a hot bath and thought about what I learned at Women's Conference last weekend. I remembered one of my favorite classes titled 

"Where can I turn for peace?" 

In the class the women spoke about gratitude and when you need peace to start reflecting on the things you are grateful for. 

As I soaked in the bath I decided to just sit and think about what I was grateful for this week to see if that would help to shake the uneasy feeling I had after witnessing the accident.

Here are just some of the things I came up with...

"Emily and Slug" - Yesterday my sister Sandy and her friend Doug came over and played with the kids on the trampoline. Carter had so much fun with them. When they left he said "can Emily {aka Sandy} and Slug {aka Doug} come back again ohmorrow?"  Sandy has been in and out of town and so busy that she has not been around my kids for a while. Apparently Carter forgot his Aunt's name and thought her name was Emily and her friends name was Slug. It made for a good laugh!

My very own Chia Pet-  Speaking of Carter, his growing hair cracks me up. We get it cut and then two weeks later it is long and over his ears again. I love that boy and his crazy hair. 

Speaking of Growing, Ella's seeds that she plated on earth day are growing into peas and we are thrilled. Especially Ella who has been taking such good care of her plants, watering them and tending to them every day.

Good Friends who are Angels on earth. Friends who listen to that still small voice and then ACT upon it. I had a very special experience this week that reminded me once again that the Lord KNOWS us. He knows what we need and it's usually through other people's willingness to serve that those needs are met.

Letting Go and Trusting- This week I did something I have yet to do. Katie went to a Birthday Party that was more than three hours long and about 45 minutes away. Often Birthday parties involve bounce houses, ice skating, etc... so she typically does not either a. get invited to them or b. does not go. But this party was at a fun old fashion ice cream shop. It was for two of her dear friends and I know the mother (and she is Katie's school teacher) and I knew she would be in good hands. I let her go without me or anyone who knows how to help with her "extras". It was a leap of faith (on my part) and it went great and she had a blast!!! 

Frozen Yogurt surprise- Bryant was out late running around getting things together for a surf trip and when he returned, he surprised me with a fun late night frozen yogurt surprise. We shared out treat while laughing to Modern Family. I love frozen yogurt but I love that husband of mine more!

Chess Club- why does this make me laugh every time I think about it? Maybe it's because I have no clue how to play chess... but BOTH girls were dying to sign up for the School's chess club. They are now both official members. I love it.

Grandma's- I love that I live five minutes from one and ten minutes from another. I love that my kids know and love and have a special relationship with their great-grandma's. I love that I went to breakfast with Grandma Dode today and my mom and we had really good, hard laughs. I love that this afternoon my Grandma Joyce called me and we chatted. I love my Grandma's SO MUCH.

The list goes on and on--Making homemade pizza with Ella, playing in the yard with Carter, Katie's contagious laughter, sweet smiles, loving husband, wonderful parents and in-laws, amazing friends, miracles...

I am feeling much better today, especially after I spent some time reflecting on my blessings, reading good quotes (see post below) and soaking up the little things. I am also feeling so much relief because from what I have heard, the man is suppose to make a full recovery. Such great news!

My worry was replaced with peace.