We look pretty relaxed in this picture…
It’s our first race of the season and I’m a wreck…
It’s almost impossible to believe that 10 months have passed since my husband was hit by a drunk driver while on a training ride. It hit me really hard then, especially when the EMT told me his helmet saved his life, and it is hitting me AGAIN hard now. And, like really hard!
In less than a week, David will take to the road for the first time since the accident. Granted, we now live in Omaha and training outside is hard in the winter, but he declared from his hospital bed last June that he would never ride outside again and he’s kept his word.
So, here I am crying, worried, scared; like really scared. All of these thoughts keep running through my head about him being hit again. I am a practical person and know you can be hit by a bus walking across the street, but this feels different. Maybe because it was my reality or maybe because I have yet to recover from that day or maybe because I am just scared for both of us.
He seems fine, but we have yet to talk about him riding outside. But, we will and I know exactly when it will be. We will get on the flight to Puerto Rico on Thursday and catch up; have a nice layover and breakfast in Dallas; and then board the flight to San Juan. It will be at this point that race reality will set in.
It will not be words; it will be a look we both we’ll share. After 23 years of marriage, you have those looks. He will say it’ll be fine. I will say I know. Then, we will both tear up. I will ask for a glass of champagne – my go to drink when flying and crying – and he will have a club soda.
A few days later, he will ride, and I will worry the whole time! It only takes one second for someone to have no regard for others; to drive after they have had a drink to two; to send a text message while driving; to be distracted. It only takes one second for many lives to be changed. BUT, we can’t live in that fear or at least, we’re not going to. So, come Sunday, David will race and I will cheer! And the universe will have righted itself…
Getting ready for the high-five, woop woop at Kona. Photo credit Ironman XC.
– DANA
Sherry is one of the TriWivesClub and LifeDoneWell co-founders and contributes to multiple blogs. She is a former co-owner of the California Apparel News and had a career in the healthcare industry. Her passions include traveling, real food, the environment, and animal rescue/welfare. She lives a healthy lifestyle and has been a vegetarian since 1987. She and her husband are parents to two rescue pups and reside in Connecticut.
This especially hits home with me right now as my BIL was struck and killed by a hit and run, drunk, texting driver in late December as he was cycling on a beautiful afternoon. Because the weather has been so bad in MD my husband hasn’t ridden outside since Tom’s death, but I know it is coming soon. It will be very hard!
Hi Nanci. We’re so sorry about your husband and hope he’s okay. These totally preventable accidents are just horrific. I’ll be writing about how it goes this weekend with David’s race. He says it’l be fine, so I’m certainly hoping for the whole family. Please keep in touch….
I can’t possible imagine the pain and the fear you two went through… Safe travels and all the best for the race!
What you’re feeling is absolutely normal and understandable. Good luck, and stay strong!
Thanks so much Christina. We are so fortunate that David had a good race and now we can relax and enjoy a few days of vacation! Let’s hope that chapter of our life is behind us…