Single Car Wake Up Call

My morning started as usual with coffee and a few references to Dagwood and Blondie, which is always the case when catching Steve putting his shoes on before his pants. I get him out the door, sit at my computer by the window and wait to hear the train whistle fade into the tunnel. That job is done until I hear that whistle once again around 6pm and he returns. This morning as I sat down, I heard a horrible crash and what sounded like crunching metal..... then the phone rang. Of course I snatched the phone off its base and there was Steve asking me to call 911... somebody had hit a pole at the entrance to the train lot. Since the train was just pulling out he knew he would loose connection. Have you ever called 911 and had to explain to them how you heard an accident.... you didn't see it but you knew where it was and what happened because someone called you and told you about it? The poor operator thought I was insane for sure, but they dispatched, and emergency vehicles were on their way. Apparently a commuter late for the train saw this LARGE telephone pole and decided to remove the right front quarter panel from their car with it. I'm not sure what speed this car must have been traveling to do this much damage, but DAMN!! It took the tire off. Air bags deployed and it all came to a stop some 40ft past the pole.

The pole that caused all this damage is actually an old one only used to lift wires higher over the road. This tired piece of wood has been hit so many times it's warped and splintered from top to bottom. It was even hit by lightening once when it used to hold a transformer years ago. Now it's just there to protect the REAL pole behind it and occasionally jump in front of speeding commuters. I won't even discuss what sex the driver was. Several Park employees told me the "driver" was OK, but the ambulance still took the "driver" to the hospital to be looked at. I have to say.... I'm not a drama freak. I don't chase ambulances to see the gore. I sickens me to watch anything like the 9/11 events. I find no thrill in witnessing or seeing this type or any type of devastation. I went to see this specific wreckage because it happened only moments after Steve crossed its path. I had to see what could have caused my heart to break..... what Could have been the worst day of my life.... what COULD have even meant the death of me. How much more important an accident becomes when it happens near a loved one. Steve is fine, and I hope the "driver" is too, and although I already try to live every day as if it were my last, I'll accept this sign. What we is have is so precious and should never be taken for granted. So, call an old friend... send someone a card.... tell your best friend how much he or she means to you.