I hit a whitetail deer very early yesterday morning while driving through a neighboring town on my way to the airport.
I never made it to the prairie airport and certainly not to Phoenix for my 1PM meeting.
My stomach flu stricken husband drove 30 miles and back to come pick me up at the one gas station in the town that the local policeman dropped me off at after we finished the paperwork. The police report reads, “DEER”.
Clarice, the attendant at the gas station hadn’t opened yet but gladly welcomed me, pulling up a chair for me and giving me a hot, fresh brewed cup of coffee.
While I waited I called my parents very early but I knew my mom would answer to listen to my sob story.
She later texted me as I drove home with my husband, “Enjoy your found day!”
Indeed, I had a new found day. Instead of hectic travel in which I was to fly to and from Phoenix in 24 hours, I was home.
Here are the 5 reasons it was okay for me to hit a deer yesterday morning…and how I enjoyed my newly found day.
1. Instead of flying and soaking up Arizona sun, I played in the snow with my kids and their friends.
I trekked through a snowy field. It was knee deep but in the end I arrived at the home daycare our girls dearly love. It was balmy on the prairie and the kids were just getting ready to go outside, except our daughter Miss A and another little boy both have tough colds so they stayed inside.
 |
| Above photo credits to Lori, our daycare provider |
On Facebook yesterday I shared Miss E’s reaction to my arrival to daycare. It was a memory I will always remember.
I walked in and Miss E, age 3, surprised said “Mommy what are you doing here?”
I said, “I hit a deer on the way to the airport and couldn’t drive so Daddy had to come get me.”
She ran to her friends and proclaimed, “My mommy’s airplane hit a deer so she came home!”
2. After using a web camera and Skype for my meeting, I picked up the kids, receiving plenty of hugs and kisses.
3. I was home to enjoy a day above freezing on the prairie, finally. It was not Arizona sun or temperatures but it was beautiful.
Daddy was feeling better. He came home from working. (Sick men still go to work on the prairie.) He made a snowman with Miss E while Miss A and I made supper.
4. Instead of having a much anticipated dinner with my forever friend, Lora who now lives in Arizona with her family, I was home to make pork roast and peach cobbler.
I will have more meetings in the future in Arizona hopefully that will bring me back to visit Lora. I’ve been known to bring Grandma Nola with me to Arizona to visit her sister. Maybe in the future when I haven’t hit a deer and have more time that can happen too. Get ready Grandma.
5. I was safe and sound in our warm home to enjoy a family supper together.
There is plenty of damage to my vehicle from the deer. I was so fortunate I was the middle of a town when the accident took place. It could have been horrific if I was driving too fast down the country highway.
The end of the day led to my favorite son and teenager coming home from school and basketball practice where he enjoyed my many times modified olive bread. The teenager claims he doesn’t like olives but if I finely chop/grind them and mix them with enough yummy ingredients and put on French bread, he loves olives.
This morning I slept long past when I would have had to be at the airport to fly home.
I hope I never hit another deer again but I will remember my new found day and how I soaked it in to enjoy.
What would you do to enjoy a day you hadn’t planned?
I like your attitude…you made lemonaide out of lemons…lucky family to have you home safe and sound….poor Bambi…
Oh my goodness, Katie! I am so glad you are OK!! I wonder how many other meetings you can just skype through instead of travel to???
I’m really glad only your car and the deer were hurt, and you were easily rescued and dropped off to a warm place! I’m with Katie B – can you do more meetings via Skype?
What a wonderful day for you and your family to have together. God blessed you in lots of ways…
So glad you’re ok! I saw your missed call but didn’t get a hold of you when I tried back. Those deer–uffda!
Let me know if you want to skype at all today and we can chat about it and much more.
I’m glad you’re okay! And it sounds like you had a great “found day.” Good for you!
Hey Katie, I would have LOVED to see you yesterday but I am so glad you made it home safely and had a fun day with your kids! Love you!
So glad to hear your car was the only thing damaged. I have yet to hit a deer….we have tons of them that run across our road here at the ranch.
It must have been so much fun to surprise your kids, they were SO happy to see and play with you! What a fun free day:)
I live in Oklahoma where we have many deer, but have yet to hit one, thank goodness! I have family in Arkansas and I think everyone I know there has hit one. It’s not a fun thing to do!! I came to your site by way of MyModernCountry, by way of Pioneer woman. Love both those blogs. I have one too if you’d like to check it out. I’m also running a giveaway right now, feel free to enter. http://www.ttgtmb.com
Have a great week end!
Katie I am so glad you found me! I am loving your blog. The deer thing is pretty common on our prairie,too-glad you are ok!
We have a lot in common…no stoplights, small classes, no Starbucks, etc etc…Can’t wait to read more 🙂
I love that phrase, “found day”, and what a great one you had!
I would skype with an old friend and catch up a big while we were both working from home.
Oh, Wait.
What a great day you had! Sometimes God gives us what we need right when we need it.