Angels watching over my Dad.

[go-fish]

I called my wife today, who is at my parents house for a couple days in Oklahoma, and she had some startling news.
My Dad is a freight driver for Yellow Freight. He was in Kansas City stopping for the night at the terminal. So he finished his log books at the Yellow terminal and the courtesy driver picked him up to take him to the hotel, leaving his truck there for the night.
My Dad has ridden with this same courtesy driver plenty of times to know that he is a calm courteus driver. This time he noticed this guy was driving really fast and irratically. All of a sudden My Dad thought the guy had fell asleep at the wheel because it looked like he was snoozing.
At this time he was trying to yell at this guy to wake up and noticed the rear of an SUV coming up quickly and he braced for impact. The courtesy driver slammed into the back of the suv at 70 mph or better. The airbags didn't deploy in the Toyota minivan they were in and Dad hit his head on the dash and was knocked unconscience.
Minutes later the guy woke my Dad up right as the ambulance was arriving. He had a massive heart attack and died right then. My Dad has some whiplash and a banged up forehead.
I suspect that the guy was having a bunch of mini-heart atacks and couldn't control his speed or was trying to rush to help or something.
Either way, I am sorry this guy died and am very thankful to God for sparing my Dad. I wish he would have pulled over and told my Dad he wasn't feeling good. My Dad could have drove him to a hospital or called for help on his cell. I am kind of ticked that the Toyota airbags didn't deploy.

[hannah]

I am realizing these past few years that things happen for a reason...whether we like it or and we cannot control them

God bless the man who died and prayers to your dad for a quick recovery...I always think with my dad and maybe yours too that God just wasn't ready for them yet and that there are still lessons to be learned

Sorry to hear about this

Peace

[go-fish]

What is strange, the past few months I have been thinking about my Dad's health. He hasn't ever had any issues but for some reason I have wondered what it would be like if he were gone.
I think it is because I never had a Grandpa and now my daughter is two and she's been up there with my wife in Oklahoma spending alot of time with them. I was wondering if she would get to have a Grandpa for very long. My wifes Dad died before we met so it is up to my Dad to be Grandpa and I just want him to stick around.
We have never said, "Love you." or even hugged. He didn't grow up with a Dad, except for when he was a little boy (his Dad was an abusive drunk and I am under the impression Dad is happy he didn't grow up with him around, being what he was).
I am not looking for the occasion to get an "I love you" in there or don't think about hugging him. If I had a boy I would hug him but I know my Dad isn't comfy with that stuff so I leave it alone.
What I do want to do is take a cross country motorcycle trip with him and my brother when he gets back from Iraq. He doesn't ride but I would like to teach him so we all three could get out there and be together. That sounds better than a hug to me.
My daughter just loves her Poppa too.

[The Cuda Guy]

I will pray for a speedy full recovery for your father, Im sorry to hear this.   

Don

[ViperMan]

WOW...  what a crazy event.

I too hope your dad recovers quickly and completely.

When I moved away from home I began to realize what family really means and how special my parents are to me.  I even wrote a song called "Goin' Home" for my brother when he first left to join the Navy.  It brought my mom to tears when she first heard it.

My dad understood when I started growing up and didn't want to hug anymore - he developed the "head butt" - we'd always lightly thunk foreheads when I'd head back to school or come home, etc.  It was kinduva man way of showin' affection.  Now though, I'm not ashamed to tell dad I love him, or give him a hug.  I love my family and I'm not afraid to show it.  Sometimes we let our need to appear masculine interfere with our lives and our relationships with those who care about us, and that's foolish.

Best wishes to your family.

Jeff

[4Cruizn]

Best wishes for you father and RIP to the driver.  Sad story.   

[Chryco Psycho]

I Hope your Dads injuries are minor & he heals quick
RIP to the driver

[Ornamental]

The airbags really got that world known never failing Toyota quality, huh...?

Hope your father will heal quick, without any permanent damages!
Rip to the driver.

[moparmaniac59]

OMG,
I am sorry to hear about your dad's driver. Glad your dad wasn't severely hurt. I hope & pray he makes a speedy recovery.  :angelwings:Life's too short. My dad used to be a hand shake kinda guy. Not much on talking about feelings. It's a guy thing I guess. I told him one day I didn't want a hand shake. He looked at me funny until I grabbed him and squeezed the stuffin' out of him and told him I loved him. Now he does it to me without me asking. My dad will be 80 next year & I thank God of the time we get to spend with each other. Grab your dad & tell him you love him. You might be surprised of the response!!


                                                                 Matt B.

[Rare_T_A]

Best wishes for you and your family. Hang in there for you dad!

[Goehner]

I lost my dad in February of 06, he was 73. Life is very short, make sure you leave nothing unsaid or undone. The toughest part is realizing you just can't pick up the phone to say hi. It does get easier, but not much better. A good friend of mine lost his step-dad a week ago in a motorcycle accident, he was closer to him than his dad. You just can't explain to someone what it is like until it happens. Hope your dad has a speedy recovery.

[Rare_T_A]

Any updates on your dad?  Is he getting along good?