Everyone has something they carry with them day to day that holds serious emotional weight. In recent years, mine has been my faith necklace; before that it was a bracelet my mom gave to me in August 2010, when I got my first car. It was a thin, red leather bracelet with two charms on it: a silver feather and blue-spotted stone. These two charms are supposed to represent luck and protection. Since it was my first car, it was fitting; therefore I kept it wrapped around the gearshift.
Not until March 5, 2011, did this bracelet have meaning to me. Driving my brother home from a hockey game, we were hit by a drunk driver on the I-93 exit 1 off ramp by Rockingham Mall. The car was a complete loss; yet thankfully somehow my brother and I walked away from the accident unharmed.
The first thing I saw after the impact of the crash was that bracelet, still wrapped around the gearshift. I made sure to take it home with me last night. I'm not the kind of person to believe that an insignificant, inanimate object could save a person's life, but I do believe the bracelet brought us both luck and protection that night. If any one thing had been different that night, everything would have changed. What if my parents weren't close behind us in their car? What if the accident happened on the highway and turned my car over? Most frightening: what if one or both of us didn't walk away from the crash scene that night? My family never would have been the same.
When I look at that silly little bracelet—which I still keep in my car to this day—I remember that night and how much worse it could have been, how much it might have changed my family. While I know the bracelet is not what kept my brother and me safe that night—rather it was the airbags, seatbelts, and circumstance—it is the symbol of that night that I carry with me as a reminder of everything I know and love can change in the blink of an eye.
Reading this gave me chills! I am so happy you and your brother were able to walk away that night safely. I hope you keep that bracelet forever....
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing story! So inspirational. Glad you're okay :)
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written! I like how the title ties in to the meaning of the story. I also like the truth in your story; it enhances its significance greatly.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started ready this story I was thinking u meant "carry" as in spiritually or mentally. Like "Carry the weight of the world". When I read it I realized you were speaking of the bracelet your mother gave you. With what happened to you and your brother that night I think you now have both. You still carry that bracelet, but also "carry" with you an appreciation for life and a sense of higher power.
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful story! I like that you still keep the bracelet in your car. It reinforces its importance.
ReplyDeleteThis was a really powerful read! It's crazy how much personal value material things can hold when paired with incidents like that. Glad you survived and are able to share it with us
ReplyDeleteReally interesting, personal story that's very well written. That sounds like terrible thing that happened to you and your brother - I totally get the sentiment you have for that bracelet.
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