On September 2, 1999 I lost the best friend I ever had,
my bichon Frise Brandon who was 13, he died in my arms and I do not think I will ever get over that.
For Thanksgiving we decided to travel from Fla to Arkansas to spend Thanksgiving with my younger sister and her family. I remember the day before, picking up my daughter Holly from College.
Then it is BLANK.
The day after we were involved in a head on collision in Alabama, I am told that a car crossed the median and came out of the sky and landed in front of our car, then rolled over and took the roof of our car off like a sardine can.
Luckily with the Grace of God, my husband and my daughter
were not hurt. I, however, was unconscious............
I was rushed to UAB hosp in Birmingham and went thru an 8 hr surgery. I lost 25% of my blood and I cannot tell you much more, because I do not remember the accident or the 9 days I spent in the hospital. I am alive, that is a miracle. Looking at the pictures of me and the car, no-one believes any of us survived.
There is a miracle to this story, I had a bichon frise angel on the dashboard which my hubby told me I pointed at him at the beginning of the trip. When my daughter went to the car to get out belongings out of it they were all there but not the angel.
When I returned home, I have much recovery still going on. The first two days, I saw my dad and my dog who had passed on before the accident standing in my bedroom. This happened for a few seconds, TWO days in a row. The pastor tells me, I was not seeing things. They had come to see if I was ok....... I miss them both so.
I had a fractured skull in 3 places and I now have a plate holding it all together. I saw double for many, many months and still do at times. That will take time I am told as the brain heals the slowest.
The biggest miracle is, I WAS NEVER RELIGIOUS. I was married for 19 years to someone who was Emotionally Vacant and had no religion. I was born Jewish, but never practiced my faith. When I started to get well, I WANTED to go to Church, and we did, and I LOVE IT. I feel at home there, and loved.
Last Sunday night at Clearwater Beach I was baptised with others. The pastor held me, we were waist deep, and I was Blessed. I can't begin to tell you how I am glowing now, and I do know that was a wake up call from God to me. How I love him!
Having a wonderful Husband and good friends and a wonderful daughter helped also. I am here, I am alive and I will get better, But most of all, I will follow Jesus. He lives in my heart and soul.
With Love
Dale
Many thanks to Dale for allowing me to use her story in this page.