Today was my first Mother's Day. I experienced many other firsts today.
1) My first car accident. Samara and I were on our way to Grampi and Grandma's for a Mother's Day get together, when an old man rear-ended us and pushed us into the car in front of us at a red light.
2) My first time calling 911. Samara was sleeping and then woke up screaming after the crash. Scared out of mind, I immediately called 911 and then found a safe place to pull over.
3) My first ambulance ride for my second time in the ER that weekend. Samara was securely buckled in her car seat and the police/fire department/EMTs said that she was OK. I wasn't sure if I was OK because I didn't know if I was so fixated on Samara that I was ignoring my own pain. I had some slight back and neck pain so I agreed to go to the hospital. I refused to be put on the board, though. I didn't think I was that bad. Plus, Samara was not leaving my sight. I had some neck X-rays done and it was determined that I would have some slight bruising and pain for a while.
4) My first time seeing a tiny baby blood pressure cuff. It was super cute.
5) My first time making an auto insurance claim and being asked inane questions about the accident.
6) My first time realizing that I truly could completely disregard my own well-being and fixate on the needs of someone else.
To all those mothers and fathers (especially mine) who have gone through every up and down with their child, many far worse than what I experienced today, I look at you with a new-found respect. Because it is true, you don't actually know what it is like to be a parent until you become one. And I know I have only been a parent for 3.5 months, but I can only imagine what the next 18 years is going to be like. So cheers to you and your dedication and love.
Oh, and we did eventually make it to the get together. Here is Grampi enjoying his time with Samara:
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