What's really important

orourke · Post by **orourke** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:11 pm

I love coming to this board and reading the goings on in everyone's lives. Their fishing, collecting and idiosycrasies. But I was reminded of what is truly important this weekend. My wife.

I may have written earlier this summer that I purchased my fifth motorcycle. My first since my daughter was born eight years ago. While I could never get my daughter to accept a ride with her old dad, Rhonda was game any time the young one was at the grandparents.

We heard the weather was to be very nice Sunday in Michigan with the trees in all their glory. We took Madison to my in-laws and set out for a four or five hour trek to no where.

We spent most of the day in fourth gear running back country roads at about 45 mph enjoying god's creatures above and aground and the majesty that is fall in Michigan. After a stop at an antique store in Constantine Rhonda advised we should head for home if I wanted to make my 6:30 volleyball game in Coldwater. We headed East and found M66 north which we would take to M86 West. After just a few miles on 66 we were surrounded by Amish. Men and Women walking alond side the road in their Sunday best.

Church must have just gotten over. Amish were walking, biking and riding in their horse drawn buggies. I pointed to Wasepie Road where I told my wife I would sell all those black walnuts I had in the bed of my truck. (I had to soon or the squirrels would bury my pickup in the soft green coverings!)

When we turned our eyes back to the road my wife screamed. A horse and buggy had turned from the right side of the white line across our path. I stomped on the brakes and put the bike into a skid but could not miss the buggy. We met the front left wheel of the buggy with the right side of the bike coming out of a skid.

I got up and found my wife laying face down in the middle of the busy highway. People had already stopped and were attending to her. She ended up breaking her tibia and fibia and five bones in her right foot. She also has a boxer fracture to her right hand.

Rhonda works for an orthapedic surgeon so we asked to be transferred from Sturgis Hospital to The community Health Center in Coldwater. Monday, Rhonda's boss put three srews into her tibia and pinned her second, third, and fourth toes. He could not fix the bones connecting her little toe so he actually removed what was left of the bone. He also pinned the large bone at the ball of the foot.

My in-laws kept my child and I stayed at the hospital with Rhonda until we were released on Wednesday. She can't bear any weight on her foot for 8 weeks.

I got out of the accident with cuts, scrapes, bruises and a couple of broken ribs and the realization of what I trully cherish most about life and that is my bride of 20 years.

Everybody give your significant other a hug and a kiss today and let them know how much you really care. You never know when they might not be there.

Dave "O"

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:58 pm

Dave,

As someone who went through a similar experience almost exactly one year ago, I can say that I sincerely understand what you are going through. The accident I went through (roll over on the highway at 65 mph) also put everything into perspective for me. I honestly believe it was one of the most important things to ever happen to me--I can't tell you how many things I've done since then that I had always said, "ah, it can wait until next year." I never considered what would happen if next year didn't come. I do now, and my life is richer for it.

My sincere best wishes to you and your wife for a speedy and full recovery. Your life won't be the same--it will be better now. Trust me on this one.

Cheers,

Dr. Todd

Post by **Brian F.** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 4:32 am

Holy Cow, Dave. Relieved to hear that it wasn't worse and thankful that you and your wife are still with us today. Thank you for letting us know. Please get better real soon - you are both in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.

Reel Geezer · Post by **Reel Geezer** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 8:35 am

We wish the best to you and Rhonda, Dave. Fishing tackle is fun, but it really isn't all that important.

Post by **john elder** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 8:35 am

Dave, so sorry to hear...life is really fragile and we should make of it what we can, while we can. I sincerely hope that your wife bounces back and will continue to take those rides with you...you have a real treasure, in addition to the young one.

RAM · Post by **RAM** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 2:33 pm

Dave- May I presume Amish buggy driver and Amish horse fared better than you and yours? May be time to consider a change of faith options. But then, it would be goodbye to the bike. But then again, that may be a good idea too.

Your advice is one of the great truths. Life is fragile. Enjoy every day of it, hug loved ones instead of things. The best to both of you!

Bad Bob

Jim Madden · Post by **Jim Madden** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 9:45 pm

Dave, I'm sure glad you and your wife are still with us. The way you put it in perspective is a lesson to us all. It sounds like you'll be taking over a lot of responsibilities for a while. May God give you the strenght to help in the recovery. Jim

Bill Muth · Post by **Bill Muth** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:11 am

Scary stuff, best wishes to you and your wife on your recovery, and thanks for the reminder - I'll be giving my wife and kids an extra hug and kiss today.

orourke · Post by **orourke** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:19 pm

The Amish couple in the buggy did fare better than us. She had swollen ankles and he a laceration of the forehead. Neither went to the hospital. I talked with the drivers father and told him I thought those buggies were built like tanks. I said I know I took out the front left wheel and still after they unharnessed the horse it still stood there proud on only three wheels!

Joni told me the buggy could not be proud because his son was in the wrong in the accident. He called the next day and said they had taken the buggy to the shop and it had $2,000 worth of damage to it.

Still haven't heard the fate of my bike, totaled or not.

My wife is in pain but she has me hopping. My ribs are more sore now than they were the day after the accident.

My young daughter doesn't quite know what to think with both Mom and Dad hurting. She is a peach though and we love her dearly.

Thanks for all the kind words and prayers. They are working. Think I'll go to church tomorrow and thank the big guy myself.

Dave "O"

Jim Wiegner · Post by **Jim Wiegner** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 12:22 am

Hello Dave:

First and foremost, may you and your wife recover completely from this most unfortunate accident. Your story is a familiar one.

An aircraft inspector (and friend) in our department also took a bike ride with his wife after leaving their two young children with the grandparents for the weekend. They were returning from a trip to the gold country with another couple in good weather conditions, and riding safely. A truck came out from a side road directly in their path, and both Mike and his wife were killed in the accident. A tragic loss of two fine young people.

This is not intended to be a guilt trip Dave, and you know what is best for you and your family. I wish you well. Take care my friend.

Jim