We are very blessed- Asher's accident

After the race was finished Asher and I waited while Nelson and Max showered up. As soon as they were done we walked over to the park to participate in the Easter Egg hunt. Asher was so excited that he headed off ahead of us. I kept hollering at him to stop and wait for us. I absolutely hate parking lots and don't feel safe in them. Asher stopped at one point but then started on his way again. As he rushed through the parking lot he darted across as fast as he could. Not noticing there was a car right there. The right side of the moving car ended up hitting him and tossing him 8 to 10 feet. Nelson and I saw the whole thing. I still remember the scream he made, the look on his face and his body being tossed. Our hearts started racing as we ran as fast as we could to get to him.

We firmly believe that Asher was being watched over. We were blessed to have a nurse and awesome bystanders right there who instantly started helping out. It is a little hard as a mom to keep your emotions under control when you see this happen to your child. Asher started to complain of back and neck pain. Because of this the nurse and medical staff wanted to keep him still. He ended up having to have his shirt and jacket cut off and then was strapped down to a board. He was pretty calm until this happened. While all this was going on I stood next to the women who hit him. We stood with our arms around each other in a way consoling each other. Not a ton of words were exchanged but enough to feel the love and support from each other.

Once they got Asher settled they had to transport him in the ambulance. We could not believe how calm he was. I held it together pretty good until we were in the ambulance and he started crying " I just want to go home". How do you hold it together when they are saying that. I am sure he was frigthened, uncomfortable and wanted the whole thing to be over. He broke down about 7 more times during the whole thing. Mostly over wanting to go home or upset about his jacket. He could not get over the fact that he had to have his jacket cut off. At that time of the day it was the most favorite jacket he ever owned. (it is the gray jacket he is wearing in the race pictures below)

He did not care much for the ambulance ride and does not care to repeat this experience again. Once we got to the hospital we had to wait a few minutes for him to be seen. He was pretty restless and agitated. Nelson gave him a blessing and it was amazing the difference it made. His actions were totally different as soon as he got that blessing. He ended up having to have about 7 x rays on his back and neck to ensure he did not cause any damage. After about 3 hours in the emergency room we were finally able to go.

Asher shortly after arriving at the hospital:

Waiting to go in for X rays. He was trying to put on a happy face:

Completely sick of "his new necklace" and can't wait for it to come off:

Getting close to leave- he can't wait to get out of there.

The crazy thing about this whole thing is that he walked out of the hospital with his only injury being road rash on his left knee. We have talked many times to him that daily in our prayers when we ask Heavenly Father to protect us and watch over us, he is listening. There is no doubt he is listening and watching over us. This experience has strengthened our testimony in this. We continue thanking our Father in Heaven for the blessing our family received. As we know the outcome easily could have been completely different than it was.

As Nelson and I talked later it was touching to hear how Max reacted as well as see him throughout the day. He did anything he could for his brother. He loves him so much. He even gave us the $3.00 the Easter Bunny gave him to help with the medical bills. I only wish the 3.00 would make any impact at all. The organizers of the hunt brought over baskets, chocolates and stuffed animals. It was humbling to see the compassion and love we received from friends as well as complete strangers.

When we ask Asher about it now he comments that he does not care to go through that again and that it was not fun. He admits he will never run in a parking lot again. So thankful for the lesson that can be learned but most of all grateful for the outcome because we realize how different it really could have been.