The definition of Karma:  the force created by a person’s actions that some people believe causes good or bad things to happen to that person.

Yesterday, my son was in a fairly serious one vehicle accident. He lost control on a gravel road in the rain and his truck rolled several times. He and his passenger were wearing their seatbelts. After crawling out the broken windshield, they both managed to walk away with nothing more than cuts, scrapes and bruises. No broken bones. Nothing that required a single stitch.  Thank you, God!!
This is the phone call no parent wants to get.  Your son has been in an accident.  You don’t understand the words and ask “What? WHAT?” just to make sure you heard them right.  The phone call that is followed by sheer terror and panic.  The phone call that makes your blood run cold.  You put on your coat, run out the door, put the hazard lights on in your car and just go.  Go as fast as you safely can because you don’t know.  You don’t know what has happened, you don’t know why and you need to put your hands on your child to know they are still alive.  All the medical personnel in the world can tell you he’s alive and well, but you’re his Mother and you won’t believe it until you hold him.

This is what I saw.

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As everything settled down for the night, I received a FB message from a concerned friend.
She had screenshotted a conversation about my son after his accident had been posted on a local news website. She said she thought she should pass it along to me “in case I wanted to message them and tell them off”. I want to share them here.

Before you ask, no, there will be no messaging them and telling them off.  I don’t revel in the drama most enjoy.  However, these messages DID stop and make me think.

First, his truck WAS loud and I feel bad that it woke up someone’s children.  I’m not sure they understand the definition of “Karma”, however.  I’m a Mother.  Loud noises from the neighbors have roused my children from a peaceful sleep many times in their lives.  Not once did I ever think it was so awful that it would be equal to them being in an accident that nearly claimed their lives.

Second, to address their concerns, the truck WAS a total loss and since it was paid for, it only had liability insurance on it, so, he is out his only vehicle.

Third, there is only one thing that really bothers me about this entire FB thread and I think you’ll be quite surprised to find out what it is.

I. AM. GUILTY.

I have read news stories about people who have killed others by driving drunk.
I have read news stories about people who are sentenced to death because they committed a murder in cold blood.
I have read news stories about people with lung cancer who smoked 2 packs a day.
I have read news stories about people being sent to jail for starting their business on fire.

You’ve read them, too. What’s your gut reaction? Be honest, now, because my first reaction is almost ALWAYS something along the lines of “serves ’em right”.

I. AM. GUILTY.

Never once have I stopped to think about that being someone’s son, father, husband…
Never once have I stopped to think about that being someone’s daughter, wife, Mother…
Never once have I stopped to think about something other than my immediate judgment.

I. AM. GUILTY.

There is absolutely no difference between what I have done vs. what these girls posted.  You’d like to think there is. You’d like to justify giving them your two cents, but let’s be real here.  The only difference is that this time, it was personal.  Well, guess what? That drunk driver’s children took it personally, too, and so did the chain smokers wife.

I. AM. GUILTY.

They say everything happens for a reason.  They say you can learn something from every situation. I’m going to take this entire accident and everything that has come with it as a lesson.

Do not judge.
Think before you speak.
Even if you think someone is a “bad” person, there’s someone out there who loves them.
If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
Always wear your seat belt.
And lastly,
Fords really are built Ford Tough.

Thank GOD for that!