Wrong Way Driver! Yikes!

I've been meaning to write this post for awhile now but something more recent always comes up. It does seem appropriate now when we are into the holiday season and there is much to be grateful for this year. 

Almost two months ago, we were coming back from one of Austen's Friday night soccer matches. I remember it was a Friday because we wouldn't have normally ventured out for dinner if it was during the week. Austen wanted to go home and shower so Tom and I ordered a pizza at a place by his office (about 12 minutes south of our house). We decided to both go pick it up so we left the kids at home.

The weather was cool that night. Not unseasonably cool. Just a nice fall night. No rain or inclement weather. Traffic was normal or if anything a little light. It was probably close to 8:00pm when we were almost home on Rte 83 - a four lane (two each way) divided highway with a concrete barrier in between. Up ahead we noticed cars violently swerving. It was dark so we couldn't see what it was they were trying to avoid and they were also just reaching the top of a hill. We were in the far right lane as we were almost at our exit when we noticed a car coming towards us head on. The car to our left swerved even closer to us to avoid a head on collision. The oncoming car was clearly going the wrong way and at a good clip of speed (probably 40-50mph). 

We exited and waited with bated breath as our exit took us back over Rte. 83 on a bridge where we could see traffic at a standstill. It was just a wall of headlights. Later, we found out that the driver was drunk and did hit someone head on but no one was seriously injured. Thankfully we avoided her and other cars were able to for the most part to protect themselves. All I could think of was what if my almost 16 year old was driving back from the pizza place. How would he have reacted to this when it would have been hard for an experienced driver? Scary moments for sure. 

Once again we are blessed to have more than a few people "up there" looking out for us. So as we reflect on this year, I'm grateful that Tom and I were able to return home to our three kids that night with a pizza instead of someone having to go to our house and tell them news that would have altered their lives. All because someone had to drive their car after having too much to drink.