Daily Gratitude - Day 19

Today was the day I was going to get Seth to seminary on time. Every day, it is 7:07 or 7:11 or 7:04 by the time we arrive at the church. Never 7:00. I hate feeling so disrespectful to the seminary teachers that I think those five to ten minutes aren’t important.

We left the house at 6:42 - a miracle these days as the mornings are darker and I’m determined to keep our 6:30 family scripture reading appointment with whomever is present. Seth and I drove down the mountain and as I neared the stoplight where the two highways merge together, I saw the wreck.

Two cars were seriously smashed up. It looked like a head-on collision or something close to it. There aren’t any first responders at the scene yet and I was reminded of Mr. Roger’s quote, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things, my mother would say to me ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”  It’s true.  There were at least a dozen people out of their cars trying to do something to help.

Because of the location of the collision, no cars could really go anywhere and this combined paralysis of traffic in all directions soon developed into a serious traffic jam. There was no way Seth was going to be at Seminary on time. Really, that was no longer the point.

We sat quietly and sadly watching the lights and sirens rush to the scene.  At least six police, two firetrucks and two ambulances were there within 10 minutes of our arrival. As they controlled the scene, the police who weren’t involved in the struggle to get the crumpled car doors to open started to manage the backlog of cars. At 7:04, we finally merged onto the main highway.

I feel like I say the phrase, “Please bless us to travel in safety,” quite often in my prayers. I know I remember to ask for the blessing before I go on a road trip. I also usually remember to be thankful for our safe arrival...again...after a road trip.

But, I spend hours, everyday, traveling. Three miles here.  Eight miles there. I travel through that intersection where the wreck occurred at least four times a day, usually more.

I’ve lived in this house now for four and a half years.  That’s 1643 days....ish. Four times a day means I’ve passed through that intersection about 6,570 times.  I know I haven’t been grateful for the grace that gets me safely through that many times.

However many times I've remembered to give thanks, today, that number has increased.