When Life (or a Deer) Hits You Hard

It was a beautiful day. We just left a friend's house celebrating their son's high school graduation.We are in our Toyota Highlander heading home for the evening on 495. Cruising around 55 miles an hour, with no worries and no cares. Out of the blue, a huge deer runs in the middle of the highway and runs smack dab on the right side of the car. I did not see it until it was right there. It hit us so hard, we lost control of the car. We killed the deer instantly; I watched it slide on its side from the middle lane all the way over to the median. I swerved to the left and I swerved to the right trying to regain control. At this moment God gave my wife a sense of calm and she told me, "Relax". We gained control and pulled over to the side of the road. The entire front right side was jacked up! The car was undrivable.

What's the point?

I don't know if there is ever a moment in our life, especially in parenting, that I should get comfortable. In fact if life is cruising very well, I should turn on the headlights and look out for the unexpected. That deer was the unexpected. But maybe yours is the quick financial crisis, or your washing machine stopped working in the middle of the week, or your son is diagnosed with a disease. Please don't get me wrong, life is supposed to be enjoyed. Yet, life does have the unexpected. And as parents I just want us to be prepared for anything. Even for when a deer hits us in the middle of 495.

Hit me back if you can relate. I am N0S.

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