Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Signs



Yesterday was a strange day. It was strange from the get go. I was tired when I got up from the time change. When I got to work we didn't have any patients until 2:00 because we have been so slow. The day dragged by and it seemed like 5:00 was never going to come.

Finally it did come, and I set off for home. It is about a 25 minute commute to my work from my home. Part of my commute is on a toll road, which winds through some lovely hills. I usually enjoy the ride to and from work immensely.

Not last night. Despite the sunlight from Daylight savings I was tired and grouchy and just wanted to get home.

On my route home, after I exit the toll road, I end up on a long stretch of highway that is populated with mostly just orange groves. I usually continue on this road for 3 or 4 miles, before turning onto the street that leads to the suburban area where I live.

I take this route every single day. I do not deviate from it. It is the quickest way home because the speed limit is 65 and there is only 1 stoplight before I reach the street that I turn down to get to my apartment complex.

I had just gotten off of the toll road and was driving along talking to myself. (Sometimes I talk to myself in the car, o.k.)? It isn't as strange as it sounds.

O.K., maybe it is. Whatever. So I'm driving down the road that I always take, talking to myself when I come upon the one stoplight on this street. Usually I drive right by it, down further to the light that I turn left on to get to my street.

So I'm coming up on this stoplight and I am talking out loud and all of of sudden I say "I don't want to go that way". (The way I always go).

As soon as I said it I thought how strange it was that I would think something like that, let alone say it out loud.

Next thing I know I am pulling into the left hand turn lane onto a street that I never take to get home.

And I am annoyed at myself. "Now why did I go and do that"? I thought. "This better not make my drive home any longer". I was grouchy at this point.

I continue on this street for a short time and then make a right so I can get to the street I need to be on to get home(the one I had avoided by taking this impromptu "detour").

As I approach this street I notice it seems much more congested than usual. In fact, I have to sit at the light 3 times before we start moving again and I can hear sirens as I approach the intersection where I would have turned to go home.

I say "would have" because I was unable to make the left hand turn. It was closed due to a six car accident that looked as though it had occurred about 6 or 7 minutes earlier. Some people were just getting out of their cars, while others were milling about or sitting at the curb. The police were were just beginning to pull up in their squad cars, blocking the intersection off. The cars were badly damaged and there looked to be some injuries.

I finally was able to get by it, and after the annoyance of being delayed had passed, I suddenly realized that if I hadn't turned left at the light when I did(early), I very well could have been in the path of that accident, at the exact time it took place.

Yes, the odds are that I would have either driven by before it happened or right after, missing it.

But what made me say the words out loud "I don't want to go that way", and what made me make that premature left hand turn, even though I always drove the same way to and from work every day that I have worked at this job(19 months)?

It makes you wonder, doesn't it?

I have always been a big believer in signs, although I'll be the first person to tell you that I have never experienced one before. Well, I may have experienced one, but I was too dense to realize what it was.

Until yesterday. I believe someone was trying to tell me something and I'm glad that I listened.

Or, the whole thing could mean nothing and just be a huge coincidence.

You choose.

But I'm sticking with signs.

And thanking God for making me listen to them.


P.S. I'm so excited because I got tickets to see a taping of the Ellen Degeneres show in April. I watch her show all the time(I DVR it) and she is so funny. I'm stoked!

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOW!

Thank goodness you made that decision. Someone was looking out for you yesterday!

Take care of yourself...I am looking so forward to meeting you in April!

Rosie said...

I beleive in signs aswell.

Tracy said...

WOW!! That is crazy-I believe in signs too. I also think a car wreck probably would have pushed you right over the edge-since you have been so stressed and God knew you just couldn't handle it right now. That is a great story!

Rhonda said...

Definitely a sign...and you know I believe in them.

2china4S said...

It was totally a sign Michelle. I am glad you avoided a mishap; you have had enough to last a few years. Let us know when the show airs; maybe we can catch a glimpse of you in the audience. Better yet, you could get to dance with Ellen. :)

OH MY #6 said...

Hi Michelle,

thank you for your comment. I don't leave on vaca for a couple of weeks.

I did not receive your e-mail. Please send it again.

lea.gunby@sympatico.ca

Hope you are having a good day.

Lea
xo

Daniella said...

I'm going with a sign. Glad your ok.

Lisa and Tate said...

This is cool. I believe in signs and the still small voice that warns. So glad you listened to it.

Hugs
Lisa

4D said...

Wow...I am glad that you took that detour. You are needed in this world.

Keep smilin!

Kayce said...

I've got goosebumps! All I can say is...God is so good!

Kari Frost said...

Holey moley! I'm so glad you listened, too! I totally believe in signs and I believe that they are, sometimes, God's way of talking to us...especially, when we think He's not listening! So, so glad you're alright!

Pug Mama said...

that would be the the sixth sense in action.
I have had similar situations happen to me.

Special K said...

Totally believe in signs... and that was one for sure. Glad you avoided that accident.

Kylie's momma said...

Wow! Is all I can say! And Wahooo about going to see the E.D. show. Am JEALOUS! Have fun and tell us ALL about it! Dance your heart baby!

Deb said...

Yup everything happens for a reason.

ps. Ellen is pretty funny! Something about the look in her eye..like she's about to cry or laugh..you can never tell. LOL

Retro Girl said...

I think your Guardian Angel was watching out for you that day! Thank God! *hugs*

How cool--going to see Ellen!! Hope you have a blast!!

I think of you often...hope that you're doing okay. So sorry that your wait for Sophie is SO long. I pray for all of us waiting families...and waiting babies every day. Hope your wait somehow gets shorter, very soon!