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To set this up properly, My mother and my 7 yo niece went to go visit my brother, who lives and works about 300 miles from the family homestead, in a city called Jacksonville, Florida. Mom and the brat were to spend a week doing touristy things and, since my mom is an addict to all those interior re-decorating shows on cable these days, inspect, detect, infect, reject, collect, project and reset my brother's house the way that she thinks it ought to be (at least until my brother puts up the stone wall and says "NO!").
Was all to be in good fun, and my niece would get to see the Sea World Marine Life park and a few other things in the area. Thurdsay was to be just such a day, with an excursion to Silver Springs and the glass bottom boats that let you look at all the wonderous stuff below the waves that we air breathers take for granted.
Like I said, was. Before they could even leave the city, they got into a car crash. Someone made an illigal left turn across the main road and nosed in to the passenger side of my mother's mini-van. The side she just happened to be sitting on while my brother drove.
My brother and niece are fine. Minor dings and bangs, but none the worse for wear. Mom on the other hand.....oh boy.
She had just had second reconstructive surgery to the right knee on a replacement in February, and now, as of Friday morning, she has undergone surgery to her right ankle to repair and reset three bones there. I get the feeling we are in for massive rehab once the cast comes off.
So, to my pals around the world and my other friends who I usually only read until something catches my interest, I just wanted to give a heads-up on why I wasn't about for a few days, either on AIM or on the boards. Tomorrow at about noon local time (US Central Daylight Time), we hit the road to go acertain the damage to the mini, see Mom and arrange to get her home, and deal with what is sure to be a very truculant and disturbed niece (I'm bringing her favorite lightsaber so she can beat some of her emotion out of me, if that makes any sense).
Not sure how long we'll be out to the East Coast there, dealing with this family matter, but I'll give everyone the news about how things are as soon as I get back.
And guys, remember this. We've all been through the wringer before. We've all been in the dumps and had to claw our way out. Be friendly to each other and to Timmy. I have always thought that this MB and the site in general were about compasion, understanding, trust and sharing wisdom. Perhaps we should all reflect on that when next we post. I don't know, or care really, what started it all, but I do know that Timmy's doing a right bang-up job, handling a hell of a lot of stress, and he's doing it for us, not just because he can. So let's all simmer down and remember that we are all people at the other end of these machines. People that should be helping one another. Period.
My thoughts are with you, even as I go out to get things done for my family. Because you guys are family to me as well.
Pax nobiscum & Cya
D'Artagnon
It's not the wolf you see you should fear, but all the ones he howls with. Don't be afraid of the song, but don't piss off the choir.
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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my prayers are with you and your family
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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At least everyone involved is alive, I must say that's a huge relief (even though I don't actually know you...) While casts and rehabilitation and all that is a total drag, a body can and will heal up again as best it can as long as it's still breathing. 
I am sorry for the incident, but happy nobody got hurt too bad. Hugs for you and your family, and my best wishes for a quick recovery.
Sincerely:
-L
"But he that hath the steerage of my course,
direct my sail."
-William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act One, Scene IV
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trevor
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Really getting into it |
Registered: November 2002
Messages: 732
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Prayers of peace for your family and healing for mom. Thanks for sharing, too. We can only offer our thoughts, but can only do so when we know there is a need.
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smith
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On fire! |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 1095
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Your cyber family will be keeping you and your RL family in our thoughts as you sort this all out. Take care of them all and come back soon.
{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}
smith
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Guys, first off, thanks immensely for your prayers and well wishing. I know you can't measure such things, but it, they and you all mean so much.
My brother and niece got through it with little more than a scratch. He's more ashamed that he couldn't avaoid someone else's bad move than guilt that he got hit, which is good. He will work off shame. Guilt is a tougher burden to bear.
Mom, on the other hand, had to have surgery to set three bones in her right ankle. Her ribs were fairly smashed up and her right arm has some impressive bruising going on. To say the least, it's not great to be her just now. She'll be at least a month elevating the leg at home before she's ready to get back on her feet, and tons of rehab after that, I imagine.
The Caravan is totalled. Left front wheel is now parallel to the ground instead of perpendicular to it. The front axel snapped, and this is a front wheel drive car. Basically, it's a testament to modern engineering that the engine didn't shoot up into the passenger compartment or through the grill work onto the street.
The elderly woman who struck them, 76 years of age, ran a red light and made what would have been an illegal left turn anyways. Last I heard, she was still receiving care in the hospital, although her injuries were not life threatening. The police report shows that she was ticketed for the accident. In my opinion, humble as that is, she probably shouldn't be driving anymore. The street she crossed like that is clearly marked, the lights are modern and set up properly and there is nothing occluding her vision, from any angle of that intersection. Maybe I'm just applying a clinical edge to my anger and concern, but that's how I feel.
Well, we are home, and beginning the recovery process. Like anything in life, it just takes time and consideration of the steps you take. And of course, getting down to brass tacks and doing what must be done. Hopefully, things will go smoothly *crosses fingers*
So, once again, thank you, from the heart, for your concern and your support. If there is a benevolent soul in this universe that helps and guides us all, then that soul heard you and responded. Would that our faith in other matters could be so strong. You guys are awesom, and even more awesome because you hang together.
Thank you all,
D'Artagnon
It's not the wolf you see you should fear, but all the ones he howls with. Don't be afraid of the song, but don't piss off the choir.
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A bit of a shock an one hell of an end-run coming up. 
A sincere Thanks and an update 
