Understanding in a Car Crash

Family is the single most important thing in life. In my mind, this idea crosses from the plain of belief into something more. I simply would not be able to live without my family. Yes, I know my critics will argue that I would remain alive without my family, but I ask: “Is that really living?” I think not. I believe not.

Throughout my life, my experiences have revolved around my family. They have played a part in vacations, sporting events, religious views, the list goes on. They have made my life worth living. I have always recognized this but a recent event really has shown, with clarity, how important family really is in my life. This past weekend I was visiting my closest of friends in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. On my way back into Idaho the four-wheel drive in my Ford Expedition went out. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem but the weather was particularly bad causing not only patches of fog which flash froze the windshield, but sever black ice. Long story short, at 12:30 am I flipped my vehicle twice after hitting some black ice. Most everyone I’ve talked to called this a miracle, and it very well may have been, but the real miracle was my family’s reaction. Before I even called the police, I called my dad. “Hey, Pops, don’t be mad, but I just flipped my car…” He had two reactions. First he asked me if I was hurt. I wasn’t. Then he immediately went about making phone calls to take care of the situation. He called a wrecking company to get vehicle hauled away and called my uncle to pick me up. Even though my uncle had a flight to Colorado at four in the morning, he woke up and drove 35 minutes each way to get me and take me to my grandmother’s where I would stay the night. My grandfather drove me back to my apartment the next morning, a three hour drive round trip due to terrible weather.

I know the things don’t seem like a big deal but they show me that family is the most important thing in life because those are the people who were there for me and always will be. I had called my friends, both those I was living with and those I had left in Jackson Hole, and received no help whatsoever. Worse, those I left in Jackson still haven’t responded to me and it has been nearly a week. It seems my family members are the only people I can trust to always be there for me. This clearly shows me not only has my family given me the best experiences of my life, they are the only people who truly love me. Without this pure, unconditional love life is meaningless. This is why family is of the most importance. Again I pose the question: Is living without family really “living”?