20 Minutes

Today was a terrible, awful, no good day with a happy ending. It started with the damn cat crawling into my pantry and eating a loaf of bread (plastic wrapping and everything) like a nasty little feral raccoon. And it culminated this evening with a phone call from my brother-in-law saying that my sister had been in a bad car accident.

I was staying very calm and together until he described the accident to me and I heard the words "spun out" and "Highway 62". That's when I started shaking, because much of Highway 62 is 2 laned, narrow, and somewhat curvy. There is not room for anyone to spin out and be okay on that highway. I ran out to the garage to where Mr. C was, hurriedly gave him directions on how to finish up dinner, and then got in my car to drive the 20 minutes it would take me to get to the hospital.

In that time, I had a million thoughts running through my head. While my brother-in-law had already told me that she was conscious and talking, all those "what if" scenarios were having their way with me: What if she has a brain injury? What if she has internal bleeding? Joe had said that she was extremely disoriented, so I worried that she would have amnesia. What if what happened to Natasha Richardson happens to her? What if she dies?

I need my sisters. No one is going to listen better, laugh harder, or be more honest with me. We are a trio. Though we all are married with new last names, our mutual friends still refer to us as "The Herrington Girls". We grow up with the same parents in the same household, yet we are each completely different. I'm the old bossy one, Sara's the nutty fun one, and Karen is the quiet responsible one. She'll fool you with her shy exterior-once you get to know her, you'll find her witty and sarcastic. She's a devoted aunt, an athlete, and a good cook. If I didn't have her, I wouldn't have anyone to make fun of mom with.

Kidding, mom.

Anyway, I met my dad and brother in law at the hospital. My dad took one look at my face and said "She's going to be okay, Tacy." Then I felt better because I knew he wouldn't lie to me. And sure enough, 4 long hours later they came out and told us that the CatScan showed no broken bones or signs of internal injuries. As far as I'm concerned, this is a miracle. You would think so too if you saw her car. It's front end is completely gone.

So, do me a favor tonight. If you're reading this and you're fortunate enough to have a sister, just take a moment right now to be extra grateful for them. I know that the bond I've got with my sisters is unique to us, but that the bond that sisters in general share is a universal thing. Ain't no love like sister love. Amen!

By the way, they let Joe go in first to see Karen tonight and when he came back out he told me that she said I could go see her on one condition: that I didn't cry. Well, phooey on you, Karen. Here's what you don't know: I got it all out in those 20 minutes.

You all have a good night.