This morning, after dropping off the kids at school, I decided [unintentionally] that I was due for a car accident. This is my attempt at a bit of sarcasm, but it’s now more than 12 hours old and time for a chuckle at my own expense. It was just the previous day when I was thinking about how quickly my girls are growing up and before you know it I will need to teach them how to be safe drivers. You know, the little things they don’t teach you in Drivers ED like know who is around you, anticipate the unexpected, stay calm and observant and give yourself PLENTY of room.
The point of this post isn’t to highlight my minor fender bender that had half of the county’s fire department stop by or “friends” text me “having a bad day?” after seeing me beside the police officer on the side of the road. I will say that I’m OK, the other driver seems to be OK, minus the whole whiplash claim that reminded me of a scene from a movie and least importantly, unless my wife’s reading, the car is fine. There’s barely cosmetic damage to my (wife’s car, which could be a whole separate post) vehicle. So I got lucky in a sense.
I look at it now like it’s an opportunity to shape up – get my head out of my ass and stop being complacent. I’ve talked here before about complacency and how it’s the dark side of diabetes. This situation (I can’t write that word without thinking of the Jersey Shore) is my opportunity to try harder and do better while I have the chance and no one is seriously hurt.
Maybe this accident doesn’t happen and later on, it’s far worse. Maybe my kids could have been in the car. Not good scenarios. I can now refocus, remind myself what’s important and get back on track.
Perhaps each of us with diabetes need a minor crash once in a while in order to wake up before it’s a disaster or life threatening. I don’t recommend getting into an accident on purpose. So, for now, just learn from me. Don’t wait until complications from diabetes are serious, take notice of the minor signs and do better while you can. When it’s too late, it’s too late.
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P.S. I was not texting, didn’t have a low blood sugar, my phone wasn’t out and I wasn’t even distracted. If you are my insurance company, I claim no responsibility for the accident. If you are my wife, it’s only a car, right hun? It adds character.
I had a wreck this time last year. I totaled my car. The other guy’s car was barely dented. And I also didn’t have my phone out, wasn’t texting, playing with the radio, etc. And my blood sugar was fine. But it’s funny how that’s what everyone thinks right off.
p.s. Please tell me that’s not a picture of YOUR car!?!?!