At 9:39 p.m., my cell phone rang. It was my daughter’s friend, her voice frantic as she shouted, “Emma got hit by a car!” I asked her to repeat it several times, struggling to comprehend the severity of her words; they sounded like a foreign language.
That evening, my husband and I, along with our 16-year-old daughter Emma and two of her friends, were enjoying a night out in the city. We had just dropped the girls off at a concert venue and were looking forward to a quiet anniversary dinner. But in a matter of moments, everything changed.
Fortunately, we were only a short distance away when the accident occurred. We rushed to the scene, where emergency responders were already tending to Emma. She was conscious, albeit bloodied and bruised, but she was alive.
Amid the chaos, my husband urged me to take the other girls home. Despite my instinct to stay, I knew I couldn’t leave them alone in the city. I slipped into autopilot, driven by adrenaline as I navigated the hails for a cab and the long train ride, my phone dead and no way to communicate with my husband or the outside world. Fear consumed me as I imagined the worst outcomes.
Even though I had seen Emma sitting up and speaking, dark thoughts clouded my mind. “What if she has internal injuries? What if I have to plan a funeral?” These fears battled with rational thoughts. “No, she’s fine; she’s talking. She’ll be okay.” This internal struggle lasted for hours, filling me with anguish.
During my journey, I recalled a Novena my mother had given me years ago. I retrieved it from my wallet, its creased paper worn but familiar. I read it repeatedly, clinging to hope and praying fervently for my daughter’s safety.
Upon arriving at the hospital, the sight of Emma in the ICU, connected to various machines, sent shivers down my spine. Every beep made me jump, and I fixated on the monitors, desperate for reassurance that her vitals were stable. I was operating on sheer adrenaline, unable to think clearly, my body tense with fear and confusion.
In those first hours, I questioned my reality, doubting whether what was happening was real. I was terrified to ask if Emma was truly okay, fearing the answer might shatter my fragile hope.
The initial 24 hours were a blur of panic; my heart raced as if it would burst. I felt raw, every nerve ending exposed, and I couldn’t shake the sickening feeling in my stomach. Even though she was receiving excellent care at a top hospital, anxiety hung heavily in the air.
As details emerged about the accident, I braced myself for each new piece of information, alternating between relief and horror. Emma had been struck by a car traveling at 40 miles per hour. Miraculously, she sustained minimal injuries—no broken bones, just some bruising, contusions on her brain, and a possible brain bleed.
It was a miracle, and I felt immense gratitude for her survival. The memory of the frantic voice delivering the news still lingers, but it has faded from my immediate thoughts. I no longer see my daughter flying through the air after impact. It has taken time to quiet the haunting “what ifs.”
In the fortnight following the incident, I have gained profound insights. I’ve learned to cherish life more, to recognize my child’s strength, and my own. Surrounded by a supportive community, I’m discovering the importance of patience and being present. I realize now that “normal” is a treasure, and we must approach each other with compassion, recognizing that everyone has their struggles.
Each day is precious, and I strive to live as if it could be my last. In the blink of an eye, everything can shift. I am truly thankful that Emma emerged from this ordeal relatively unscathed, with only a limp as a reminder of the incident. Most importantly, she doesn’t remember the event, which feels like a blessing.
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have her in my life. I hold her closer and appreciate every moment we share. This is the lesson I carry with me: the fragility of life and the need to treasure our loved ones.
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Summary:
A mother’s terrifying experience after her daughter Emma was hit by a car taught her invaluable lessons about gratitude, resilience, and the importance of cherishing every moment. Despite the initial panic and fear, Emma survived with only minor injuries, leading her mother to reflect on the fragility of life and the necessity of compassion and presence in our daily lives.