Christmas Blessings

As most of you know, Connor and Joey were involved in a car accident this past Saturday night.  Joey and Connor wanted to take a trip to Walgreen's to pick up a few things.  They made it about a half a mile before the accident.  We're still not 100% sure what happened, but from what we can piece together, a girl tried to take a left as Joey and Connor were heading straight through the intersection.  Joey remembers checking on Connor and calling me, but not much else.  It was a scary call to get, even though Joey clearly said "Connor's fine".  As with any Mom, I needed Connor in my arms to know that for sure.  I was at the accident site within a few minutes and immediately grabbed Connor.  Thank GOD, he WAS fine.  Joey, on the other hand, was being strapped to a stretcher to be transported to the hospital.  He was disoriented and didn't remember what month or day it was.  We met him at the hospital shortly after.  His parents and cousin drove 50 minutes just to be there as well.  He had a lot of people VERY nervous.  It was a blessing, though.  Connor doesn't like doctor's offices, and he was no different at the hospital.  All the equipment scared him, so I couldn't be in the room with Joey because I had to stay in the waiting room with Connor.  Once my in-laws got there, we could take turns visiting Joey while someone stayed with Connor.  Turns out, Connor LOVES waiting rooms!  He thought it was a great place to run and play!  He had a blast with his grandparents and Kenny, even scoring some Cheetos and animal crackers for a snack!  

I do have to say, Joey was a very good patient.  Well, he was a good patient up until he kept asking every person to take his neck brace off.  I give him props, he tried everything, but no one budged, and the neck brace stayed on (they really are the most uncomfortable things if you've ever had to wear one).  While Joey was out getting a CAT scan, I was asking the nurses what tests they were doing, and as he told me, he did say that Joey was a "funny guy".  This made me feel better - I don't think Joey would be as funny if he was in a ton of pain.   Once the CAT scan results were in, everything looked good enough for Joey to be sent home.  

No one wants to ever get a call that your loved ones are hurt in an accident, but I am extremely thankful that everyone is fine, and that it wasn't a more serious accident.  I keep thinking about the call I could have gotten and I have to push that thought out of my head because I feel the tears well up when I do.  One of the things that helped Joey while he was in the ER was the reassurance that Connor was indeed "more than fine".  He came away with only two bruises on his arms, and I'm guessing that's where his seat belts had fallen.  Connor doesn't seem to have any residual stress regarding the accident.  We even went to the grocery store the next day and he was happy as a clam to be in the car.  One more thing to be thankful for.

So when I'm opening my presents this Christmas, I'll be most grateful for the gifts that weren't bought at a store - the one's buried in wrapping paper and bows.  

Notice the two small bruises on each arm.  That's it.  Love that car seat!