Bill’s Biking Accident

I’ve been putting off writing this post because my emotions are still so raw. But I want to make sure the account of this event isn’t missed for my children’s sake for years down the road. I don’t believe, however, that our family will ever forgot this event in our lives.

Bill was hit by a car while riding his bicycle on Saturday. As you can imagine, this rocked my world.

Bill has a love for biking.

This is his hobby, and it’s one of the very few things he does for himself. I have encouraged him in his biking, as I saw first-hand when I visited him one evening during RAGBRAI this year, his excitement and passion for it. As I’ve shared with a few people, I’ve never seen him like that in our 21 years of marriage. He was almost giddy that evening…he was in his “element.” 🙂

He took off biking Saturday morning, as Zach, Ali and I went to our hometown’s 150th birthday celebration and parade. We would meet up later.

He was biking south of Belle Plaine and he says he remembers seeing a car coming up behind him in his rear-view mirror, and double checking he was riding on the white line. The next thing he knew, he was flying in the air. The road he was on had a 55 mph speed limit.

The car hit his left side. Thankfully he flew to the right. He landed on his right side, which knocked the wind out of him.

He says that was was scariest part, because he couldn’t catch his breath….and right then wanted to tell me one more time that he loved me. (Tears.)

After his breathing was restored, he rolled to his back and slowly began to move his arms and legs. Everything could move, and at that point he knew he would be alright. He looked and saw a white car pulling off to the side of the road ahead of him. It was the car that hit him.

I guess the driver didn’t see Bill until impact.

He was pretty shook up, and of course Bill had compassion on him. He told me this morning that before he was taken in the ambulance, Bill shook the driver’s hand and told him to “hang in there.” The driver said back to him, “YOU hang in there.” That’s my husband…always concerned about others.

A sheriff arrived and called an ambulance. At the local hospital he was immediately put through x-rays and CT scans. It was found he has two cracked ribs, a sprained ankle, and a whole lot of large scrapes and bruises.

Of course, he didn’t tell me what was going on at first, because he wanted me to have an enjoyable time with my family at our hometown festivities. And I sure did. Zach, Ali and I spent a few hours with two of my three brothers and their families. It was a beautiful day, and it was great seeing so many people I hadn’t seen in years! (I’ll write a post about it soon!) But as I was having a good time, Bill was in the hospital. Believe me, he heard about it from me when I finally saw him. But how can I fault him for trying to bless me and not wanting to worry me?

But when he did finally fill me in on what was happening, I couldn’t get to him fast enough. When I walked into the hospital room, I found him wrapped in bandages, a splint on his ankle, and a smile on his face as he was lying there. Oh, I can’t tell you how good it was to see him!

Bill walked out of that hospital, and as we recount how he got hit, I don’t understand how he was able to do so. I don’t understand how he didn’t receive more serious injuries, life threatening injuries. There wasn’t a scratch on his helmet. Bill said he didn’t hit his head. No broken bones, except for his two cracked ribs. If he would have flown to the left, instead of the right, he would have landed on the car or gotten run over. And what if he landed on top of something on the side of the road, instead of the shoulder? These thoughts make me sick.

It’s clear to me that God protected Bill on Saturday.

He could have called him home, but He didn’t. I’m so very thankful I didn’t lose Bill. May I never take my husband for granted! Amazing Grace, that we sang in church on Sunday took on a whole new meaning for me.

Bill’s pain is awful today, and every time he moves, he hurts. He keeps saying, “I’m blessed.” “I’m thankful.” “It could be much worse.” That’s my husband for you. 🙂

He is sad about having to say goodbye to his bike, what he fondly calls “The Beast,” as the frame is not repairable. He’s had it for close to 25 years. It’s been a part of his life longer than I have been. 🙂 But as he fully knows, bikes are replaceable. He is not.

So many of our family members and friends have reached out to Bill and our family with visits, calls, texts and prayers. We are so grateful. What wonderful people we have in our lives!

The days ahead will probably be painful for Bill as he begins to heal. I’m thankful he’s given the opportunity to rest, as he deserves some down time. May I suggest…Tell those in your life how much they mean to you, and tonight or whenever you read this, tell your spouse one more time how much you love him or her.

I’m very thankful I get to do that tonight.