... or more accurately, a small crash.
Not something I recommend!
This is to let my friends and family who are not near me know what happened.
New Year's Eve was a blast. I danced the night - and year - away with several friends from church. If you weren't at the dance, you missed out. There is a side of me that only comes out at dances. It's this care-free, party girl that will stay on the dance floor almost all night.
New Year's Day was pretty laid back. I slept in and went to the store to prepare for the next week of work. The first significant snow fall of the year in the Denver area fell a couple of days before and wasn't really melting because of the very cold temperatures. Still things weren't too bad. I decided to be social and go to a friend's party in Aurora about 20 miles away. The party was pretty fun but I was getting tired so I decided to head home around 11 so I could get some sleep. Perhaps that was my mistake...
Because of the road conditions I was trying to take it easy - at least easier than normal. Somewhere along the way a pickup truck ended up behind me. I was exiting the interstate onto Parker Road and this truck was tailgating me the whole way down. If the roads had been better I would have sped up a little, but I didn't want to slide off the road because of a jerk on my tail. I got onto Parker Road and moved over one lane. The truck behind me sped past me on the right (as I expected) and then sent me into shock. He pulled into my lane, slammed on his brakes for no reason, and though I hit my breaks I slid into him. The trailer hitch on the back of his truck punched a hole in my front bumper and he immediately took off. I sat there in shock - shock that someone would be that much of a jerk. I really didn't know what to do. I somehow decided that I should get to a well lit place and see how bad it really was as well as make the necessary phone calls. I called my insurance. They set me up with a claims inspection. I called the police. They told me to fill out a report online. (I don't remember the truck's license plate so there's really nothing they can do.) I called my friend Jason Aldridge. I am so grateful he answered! I knew I needed help. I, who am usually very aware of my surroundings, couldn't remember names of cross streets to tell him where I was. I was still in shock. I was in tears. I needed someone there with me. He and my wonderful friend Tiffany Lindsey made their way up to meet me and I decided that it would be better for me to make my way to a Wal-Mart just down the road. I went inside to wait for them, warm up, and call my parents. They didn't answer their phones because it was about midnight at this point. So I called Frances. I started to tell her what happened and she gave the phone to Dad who was still awake. For about the fourth time (not including the original incident) that night I relived that moment. He was ready to come over on the first plane to be with me but I told him not to... there's nothing more he could do that wasn't already being done. While I was on the phone with him Tiffany and Jason arrived. I had no idea how
much I needed someone there with me until Tiffany let me cry in her arms. They let me sit there and cry. You must understand that I really don't let people see me like that. I'm supposed to be so strong and be able to handle anything that comes my way. Turns out I'm human after all.
After a little while we walked out to my car. The damage really isn't too bad. My front license plate was wrecked and a hole the size of a large fist now graced my front bumper. I lost my temper a little throwing the license plate, frame and all, on the frozen ground. They put me in the passenger seat of my car and Tiffany drove me home following Jason. I flinched every time she got within a car length of Jason's bumper. I just wanted to forget that it ever happened. I didn't need one more thing to go wrong!!! Though I really couldn't think straight I knew I really didn't want to be alone. Tiffany and Jason stayed with me, comforting me, embracing me. The great thing about being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is being able to receive a priesthood blessing in times of need. I asked Jason if he would give me a blessing and though I know I said somethings right after the blessing that were contrary, the blessing really did help. I ended up spending the night at Tiffany's (she had to take care of somethings at her place otherwise she would have stayed at my place). My nerves were so shot by this point (it was after 2AM). I didn't sleep much that night and my hands still shake just thinking about it.
My car is drivable (in case you hadn't already figured that out). I am not physically injured. I am driving again (had to go back to work somehow - need to pay for repairs). I am still working things out with my insurance. My car will have to go in the shop at some point. If anyone in the Denver area sees a green American made pickup truck, possible extended cab, with a trailer hitch and slightly messed up rear bumper take a picture and let me know. But if not, there will be full justice in the life to come.
