My mom had picked up my grandmother and cousin and was driving on the Southern State Parkway on her way to church. She was hit by a reckless drunk driver who tried to pass cars by using the shoulder of the parkway. He lost control of his vehicle and crashed into my mom's car wedging her car into the stone base of an overpass. The whole front part of her car was crushed including her sitting in the driver's seat. She was airlifted to the hospital. My grandma and cousin were taken to the hospital by ambulance. The injuries that were accumulated by these three were horrifying.
My mother was kept sedated because of the pain. She had crushed legs, broken ribs, punctured lungs... As much as I wanted to know, I could never get myself to ask the doctor if she'd live. I was too afraid of the answer. I remember the day she opened her eyes. It must've been about a couple weeks after the accident. I remember being so overjoyed, so relieved that I wouldn't have to be an orphan and take care of my sister on my own. From then on, my mom's strength had gotten her out of the hospital and into the very rehab center she works in. It was an arduous next couple months for my mom, physically and emotionally. But after many surgeries, months of rehab, sweat and tears, my mom was able to come home. By Spring 2002, my mom was able to attend my grad school graduation and my sister's undergrad graduation.
People look at my life and tell me over and over again how strong I am to deal with what I've been through. I just take it with a grain of salt because I still feel weak and clueless. But I do know that my mom is one tough 4ft 10in tall woman. She's my role model and one of my biggest support. I am so grateful that God spared her earthly life so that she could be the amazing mom and grandma she's become.