it's been three weeks

Thursday, November 02, 2017

Three weeks ago, Steve and I headed to the Oregon Coast.  It's been on my list for a while.  We felt it was just what we needed after recuperating from my broken foot and ankle.  That all seems so silly now.

Our first morning there, I received a text that rocked my world more than anything I had ever been through before.  You see, my sweet Andrew had been in an auto accident.  The text came through in a group text that included the parents of Andrew's golf team.  Andrew and three other members of the golf team were involved in an auto accident.  Andrew was driving.  I crumbled to my knees.  The SUV hit a bank, flipped and hit a utility poll.  The utility poll fell on the car.  Three boys were rushed to the ER at Children's Hospital.  My son, Andrew, was pinned in the car.  It took the fire department two hours to get him out.  Once out, he was rushed to the trauma unit.
I was totally helpless on the other side of the country.
The next 20 hours are a complete blur.  Getting ourselves to Portland Airport.  We purchased tickets to Pittsburgh via San Francisco.  The San Francisco flights were cancelled due to the awful fires.  Rerouted through Newark, we finally made it home at 11am the next day.
Andrew had been through the first of 3 surgeries to repair his femur.  Three of the four boys had to be hospitalized.  Each sustaining injuries that will take care and time.
The accident has left scars on all of the boys.  Physical and emotional.  To say that I have been afraid has been an understatement.  I've worried non stop about all of the boys.  About their families.  I hate that they have all gone throw this extremely difficult time.  The love and support from our community along with the power of prayer from friends and family will never be forgotten.  God has answered our prayers and eventually all of our boys will be back to themselves.

The fragility of life is always present.  But has been even more so during these past few weeks.  Please, remind your people not to speed.  To pay attention.  To live life carefully.  It's beautiful and precious and by the grace of God they are all here to enjoy it.  Thank you God.

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48 comments

  1. The Well Fed Wheel11/02/2017

    Oh my goodness!! That's terrible. I'm so very happy everyone survived and sounds as though they are on the mend. You are so right....life is precious and when these things happen it reminds us of just how much.

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  2. beth 11/02/2017

    oh, leslie!! oh, my goodness. my oldest just got her driver's license. when she leaves the house i have to distract myself not to feel terrified - but the reality is that anything can happen to any of us at any moment. so grateful andrew and his friends will be ok.

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  3. Anonymous11/02/2017

    As a knitter, who loves your blog and one who also loves our Chalklots chalkboards, I've been praying for you. I knew the silence on your sight was not good. God is very good and I'm so thankful your son and his friends are alive. Life is very good! I am so thankful everyone is alive and well. Time heals! God Bless You All!!!!

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    1. a friend to knit with11/14/2017

      awe. thank you sweet friend. we are finally coming up for air. it feels amazing to breathe! xx

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  4. house on hill road11/03/2017

    been thinking about you non-stop. sending lots of love and praying for all the boys. xo.

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    1. a friend to knit with11/14/2017

      thank you, erin. hugs to you and your sweet girls! xx

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  5. T-shirter11/03/2017

    Dear Leslie, Thinking of you at this difficult time and praying for Andrew and his friends that they may all be restored to complete emotional and physical health. Love.

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  6. ccr in MA11/03/2017

    How absolutely terrifying! I'm so glad that everyone is going to recover.

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  7. Unknown11/03/2017

    (((Hugs)))
    and much time with the comfort of yarn

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    1. a friend to knit with11/14/2017

      i am so glad for the yarn. if you can believe i was unable to pick it up for the first couple of weeks... but it calls my name now. thankful for that! xx

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  8. Jeannie Gray Knits11/03/2017

    Oh, I'm so sorry, but I'm so glad Andrew and the others will be alright. I can't imagine the fear you must have felt. My own son was in a wreck last year. He called to tell me about it & he was obviously fine, but.... He'd been sitting at a stoplight & 4 cars came up behind him & none of them ever hit the breaks so they all slammed into the back of him. Even though he walked away without a scratch & it's been over a year, I can feel my heart begin to race just typing this. I'm sending virtual hugs and prayers for a speedy recovery for all involved.

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    1. a friend to knit with11/14/2017

      awe. thank you jeannie. glad your son was okay. it does leave scars... we are trying hard to focus on all the good that came out of it. there are many blessings. xx

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  9. Edna11/03/2017

    May god guide you and bless you as you - the mother -recover from such a trauma in your life. Life is fragile, handle with prayer.

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    1. a friend to knit with11/14/2017

      thank you edna. i just love that... "life is fragile, handle with prayer." xx

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  10. Laura11/03/2017

    I have just said a prayer for everyone involved. Healing wishes to all of you.

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  11. seashoreknits11/03/2017

    Thanking God for His tender mercies.

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  12. Dianne Ross11/03/2017

    A parents worst nightmare. I’m so sorry you and your family had to go through this. Hoping all the boys and families recover quickly. I am a nervous nelly but the cars are getting built to go so fast and it scares the hell out of me with my five grandchildren. Sending hugs 🤗

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    1. a friend to knit with11/14/2017

      thank you dianne. may God watch over all your babies. xx

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  13. gigi knits11/03/2017

    Prayers to you & famlies . Makes you stop an think what's really important in our lives . That being our children no matter their ages .

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    1. a friend to knit with11/14/2017

      thank you so much, gigi. you are so right. xx

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  14. Debbi11/04/2017

    The boys will all be in my prayers.

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  15. Lynn11/04/2017

    Prayers of comfort for your family and all families involved. I lost my parents (91 and 93) June 26 and Oct 23 this year. Doesn't matter the age: life is precious. Hugs...

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    1. a friend to knit with11/14/2017

      oh lynn. i am so sorry for your loss. hugs to you. xx

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  16. Carolyn11/04/2017

    Praying for you, Andrew and your family. My Andrew has been in several accidents and my heart still stops when I get texts or calls, until I know he's alright. Scary stuff, being a parent.

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  17. Unknown11/05/2017

    That call.... a mothers worst nightmere! I am saddened to hear of your sons accident. With all the love around him he will grow stronger.

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  18. Colleen11/07/2017

    Leslie I am so sorry to hear about Andrew's accident. Prayers and hugs from Canada xxx

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    1. a friend to knit with11/14/2017

      thank yo so much colleen. prayers are absolutely being heard. xx

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  19. deni11/07/2017

    I can't imagine ... thankfully the outcome is positive. Prayers to all.

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  20. pmcg11/07/2017

    I feel like your kids have grown up on the blog--I had to check and see if this was your older son at Ohio State or your younger son. You make us feel like we know you, your kids and your family. Prayers for him, and you.

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    1. a friend to knit with11/14/2017

      awe. thank you so much. i feel like they have grown up on here, too. hugs to you. xx

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  21. Anonymous11/08/2017

    Get well soon Andrew

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  22. Carol11/09/2017

    So sorry to hear about this accident, but thank God all the boys will be all right. I hope you will feel supported by all the many friends you've made on your blog through the years. We are here in bad times as well as good. God bless you and your family, and all the families involved.

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    1. a friend to knit with11/14/2017

      thank you carol. that means so much. life. it is full of everything. grateful for it all. xx

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  23. Anonymous11/11/2017

    Sending you and your son prayers and wishes for a speedy recovery, physically and emotionally as well.

    Melody

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  24. Suzanne11/12/2017

    Sending good vibes for recovery for Andrew and serenity for you.

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    1. a friend to knit with11/14/2017

      thank you so much suzanne. so grateful for my knitty friends and all of their prayers. xx

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  25. Knit Picky Knitter11/12/2017

    As the mother of three teenage boys, I feel your pain. I'm glad Andrew is doing ok and everyone made it through ALIVE! They never stop being our babies and we never stop worrying about them. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to all.

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  26. a friend to knit with11/14/2017

    so very grateful for your well wishes. xx

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