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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

I know I’ve mentioned it’s very gray and cold here in New York. The sky is ashen daily and it’s dimming on the spirit.

Two weeks ago my husband informed me he had bought another half cord of wood for the fireplace and it was being delivered that afternoon. Somehow the delivery men misunderstood his message and instead of delivering it to the backyard, stacked it up against my driveway. My laundry room overlooks the woodpile and every time I did laundry I was thinking how I hated all that wood on the driveway. It was a little difficult to manipulate the cars in and out. Busy, we just weren’t getting around to moving it.

Fast forward to last week. My eldest daughter has a good friend whose Mom died from a sudden aneurism. We were saddened to hear this sudden news and my husband assured my daughter he’d go to work late so she could attend the funeral. Walking onto the driveway in the morning to catch the newspaper, he noticed our van on the driveway had a flat tire.

Our van is about 15 years old. It is huge and has taken us on many happy vacations. My son is now the primary driver and it is covered with surfing stickers. I swear it still smells of last summer. Looking around in the back, my husband found the tire jack. Realizing he had to get my daughter to the funeral on time to console her friend, he started to change the tire. He realized the jack was so old it didn’t have a pump arm but rather was twisted by hand. He stuck it under the back of the van and started twisting. It wasn’t working. Discouraged, he stood up trying to think of what to do next. He had to get to this funeral. He realized he’d have to get a bit more under the van to make the jack rise. He leaned under the van and out of the corner of his eye noticed the log pile.

He doesn’t know what made him do it. But he said somehow he thought, just before he stuck his head under the van one more time, let me take one of those logs and use it to bolster the wheel well.

Back under the van to twist the jack, when suddenly, BAM! The jack broke in half and the van, tons of weight and massive in size, fell --but was still bolstered by the log. Truly, my husband’s head would have been cracked open!

I have been replaying and replaying this in my mind. What made him grab that log at the last second? You know what I mean? Good karma? You just wonder…

When I found out what happened, I walked right over to that wood pile, hugged it, and then kissed the log that saved my husband’s head. And you know what? I’ve got a great view of a gorgeous woodpile from my laundry room!


22 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'd like to think God had a hand in causing your husband to grab that log. I have found so many times I am driving and get distracted with something and I look back at the road in just the nick of time to avoid an accident. I know God is watching over me. I think God was watching over your husband also. I am sorry to hear about your daughter's friend's mom. My aunt had an aneurism years ago and almost died. Thanks God she is still with us.

Unknown said...

My goodness Tara, what an experience. Isn't it funny how things turn out, at times we disliked a situation and it end up well..in this case, life saving. Yes, I believe it's good karma. Hug those logs for me too :P God does work in a very mysterious way..Hope you'll have a good day and week, well, weekend's here soon. Much love and hugs always

Adrienne said...

Good morning, Tara -
I love the way God 'nudges' us to do things that later we find have protected us. I'm so glad the end of the story was good. It could have been so different! Hug that woodpile often.
~Adrienne~

Mary said...

I would attribute this to divine guidance on the part of the log delivery guy and your husband. That and the fact that you are just plain loved and blessed. A good combination all around and a very inspiring story.

Anonymous said...

I wanted to tell you also that I have that same Emerson poem on both my facebook and my fridge. I love it!

MeMeMe said...

Oh Tara! I am so relieved your husband is safe. You take care okay? I hope the sun comes sooner for those of us (most of us) who want the winter done and long for blue skies.

Take care
jeannie

Alison Gibbs said...

Oh Tara. Thank goodness he is ok.
Alison

pve design said...

Hope you make a table or some special fire with that log! Jeez, close call. Glad he is ok.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Oh my goodness Tara! I'm so glad your husband's gardian angel was watching over him. I'd save that log as a reminder to never take anything for granted.

So sorry your daughter's friend lost her Mom so young.

Country Cottage Chic said...

Someone was watching over him that day. Isn't it amazing how these things happen for the good?

Roses and Lilacs said...

I'm so glad this didn't turn into a tragedy. Divine grace and a stick of fire wood;)
Marnie

The Quintessential Magpie said...

God was really with him, Tara! Oh, what a story! I'm so thankful he's okay. What a blessing that miscommunication was! THanks for sharing this...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Mockingbird Hill said...

Oh My Gosh, Tara! What a scary thing...and I am an absolute believer in Good Karma, so...YAY!! All the more reason for you guys to celebrat a Happy Happy Valentine's Day... :)

Cassie

Donna said...

Wow, Tara, what a story.....gives me chills and I'm so happy your husband is ok. I bet you're lovin' that log pile! Strange how things happen.

Enjoy your day, and Happy Valentine's Day!

Hugs,
Donna

Sandi McBride said...

Miracles happen everyday of every week and this was your turn!
hugs
Sandi

Anonymous said...

i think it was God and your hubby's Guardian Angel! Bless your hearts, what a scary experience.

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

YIKES STRIPES!! How scary...how lucky...and WHAT a stressful morning he had!

Yep. Good logs, VERY good logs!

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Your husband has an angel working overtime! My daughters roommates mother also died unexpectedly from a brain aneurism in September. It is heart breaking. Seems that woodpile took on a whole new meaning to you, understandably.
♥, Susan

A Romantic Porch said...

I love it when God talks to us like that and we take time to listen! I'm so happy your family is safely together! xo rachel

amanda said...

Wow! Thanks so much for sharing! So glad he's ok!

Cottage Contessa said...

Oh my goodness Tara! Sweetie that story gave me goose bumps all over! I am very happy that your husband thought to use that log, and I really hope he bought a lotto ticket too! Saying a prayer for your daughter's friend and her family....so sad.
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

Magnolia Street Style said...

Amazing story. How our seamingless meaningless decisions are so much more than we realize. This one small decision was life changing.