When tragedy strikes, it becomes very clear who really cares about you.  I don’t have any actual family out here in California but on Wednesday, I learned I have a very large extended family.

On Wednesday, I was driving home in the 5pm bumper to bumper traffic.  I was at a dead stop when I heard tires squeal behind me.  I looked in my rearview mirror and had enough time to say “Oh Shit” before the car behind me plowed into my back end, lifting the back of my car into the air before slamming me down.  I was in shock and I suddenly felt pains shooting through my neck.  I had enough sense to pull over to the side.  The 20 year old girl behind me had been texting and didn’t see me.

So we went through the accident protocol and I wound up at the local hospital with severe whiplash and other minor injuries.  At first, I was in a panic. I am single.  I live alone and my family is on the other side of the country.  So I called my best friend from the ER.  Then they took me back into a room where the cell reception was bad so I started to text my friends and co-workers.  To my amazement, everyone rushed to help me in any way they could.  My California sister showed up at the hospital to be with me (and to tease me about the nice new neck brace that I will be wearing for a week).  She started contacting people for me and giving updates while I endured many tests.

Since I was released from the hospital and put on bed rest, I am unable to act like my usual independent self.  So my friends and their families have stepped in, taking me to appointments, getting me groceries, taking care of my fur babies, and picking up my meds.

So it no longer feels right to simply call them my friends, they are my family.  They have been there when I really needed them.  And going through something like this, you really do see who truly cares about you and who doesn’t.

So to my “family,” Thank you for everything!!!!

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