Ten years ago today I was in Costa Rica. And this pic reminds me of how things can change in an instant.
Fewer than 30 seconds after this pic was taken, I boarded a bus. As soon as I hit the first step, the door rammed into me (the bus was turned off and no one was in the driver's seat) leaving me pinned half inside the bus and half outside of it. I was in incredible pain and couldn't move. It was difficult to breathe.
People tried to pull me out. Didn't work. They tried to push me inside the bus. Still stuck. After nearly 15 long minutes (it felt like hours), I was finally freed. It took the force of three men to pull me from the crushing door. I was left swollen with bruises and had small veins burst on my legs from the pressure. Ten years later, I can still feel that sensation of being trapped and the scraping of door as they pulled me out. I can see and hear the door snap shut, so finite, so quick, like a guillotine.
I was so embarrassed because it was such a weird thing to have happen--y'all that know me in real life know how I have the most random freak accidents, another post for another day--but the lovely ladies of Costa Rica took care of me. They had all sorts of natural remedies to help and I later floated in the healing Baldi Hot Springs (near the active Arenal Volcano, pictured) until the sunset.
Seeing this pic today is a great reminder that life can change in an instant, so never get so comfortable that you take things for granted, and to be open to receiving help from others.
Have you ever had a life-changing moment?
Extra Elle: How is it June already? I'm in denial. No big plans so far for me this weekend. Lots of de-cluttering going on and lots of blog work, hopefully. Hope yours is wonderful.
Whoa, that's crazy and terrifying! I can't believe that happened and I'm glad that people were able to get you out. I can't think of a really crazy thing that happened to me before.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh how scary!! So glad to hear that the ladies took care of you with their natural remedies.
ReplyDeleteWow, Elle! That's so crazy. I'm so glad things turned out okay, but you're exactly right. We need to enjoy what we have because things can change so easily!
ReplyDeleteJodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
Oh wow, how scary! So glad you're ok, and it's so true how quickly everything can change. Sending lots of hugs on this happy Friday <3
ReplyDeleteGreen Fashionista
Wow, so scary. I'm sorry, Elle, you had to endure that.
ReplyDeleteI've had a few similar events in my life. Once, the day after Thanksgiving in 2003, I was riding my motorcycle home from New Jersey. Crossing the Goethel's Bridge into NY at slow speed, I was suddenly hit from the side by a car driven by a young man who wasn't paying attention; he was going too fast and swerved into me to avoid rear-ending the car in front of him. Lying on the ground, I couldn't breathe because my lung had collapsed (and ribs had broken). I came close to dying and realized it was a concrete possibility. As you say, that brush with death came unexpectedly in an instant. Ever since then, I cherish the life we have and don't take it for granted any more.
What a freak accident! Glad you are ok.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true. I think of that all the time - everything can change with one phone call, with one turn, with one blink of an eye.
ReplyDeleteHow crazy!! Life definitely can change quick!
ReplyDeleteThat's so bizarre that it happened and i'm so glad you were ok at the end of the harrowing ordeal!
ReplyDeleteThat is so crazy that happened to you Elle! That's so true things can happen so suddenly. I'm glad that in the end you were ok!
ReplyDeleteYes it's so true that our life can instantly change in the blink of an eye. Thanks for sharing your story! I'm glad you were rescued and taken care of. When I was child, the ceiling over my bed came crashing moments after I got up. It was a good thing I got out of bed when my mom woke me up.
ReplyDeleteI try to always remind myself that I should not take life for granted, things can change in a blink of an eye. So sad that this happened to you Elle xx
ReplyDeleteYiota
pinkdaisyloves.blogspot.com
Wow! That is a terrible accident! I have seen this happen with just a leg, and it was horrible. It is one of my biggest fears when boarding a bus!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Ileana
Novelstyle Blog
I read this on facebook, but it's still such a shocking story! I have learned through some things I have been through allowing others to help you can be humbling, but so necessary sometimes. I am grateful when people are around to offer help!
ReplyDeleteTalk about a random freak thing! How scary!!! Glad you're on!
ReplyDeleteOk not on. Sheesh.
DeleteThis must have been so scary for you but I'm glad you were OK in the end and everyone there took good care of you. I have had a couple of moments just this week that have really made me stop and think about the value of life and what is really important. I think you just have to try and appreciate every day and live for today too :) x
ReplyDeleteWow that must have been such a scary experience, and I'm glad you're ok! I think the moment my life changed forever was when my older brother passed away at 17. I was 14 at the time, and decided then it was time to stop being a kid and grow up
ReplyDeleteWow that's crazy and definitely a freak accident. Thank goodness for the Costa Rica ladies that took care of you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a scary thing to happen! Life can change in an instant, and it's so easy to forget that...
ReplyDeleteWow I can't begin to imagine the pain and fear that would have coarsed through you at that moment. I'm fairly accident prone myself though I can say that I've thankfully never been in such a situation as that. I haven't had any personal experiences that have changed me as such, but definitely through people around me, sicknesses and deaths that really put things and life into perspective.
ReplyDeleteSxx
www.daringcoco.com
That is so scary! So glad you were ok. It's scary to be hurt especially in a foreign country. I did the same thing this weekend. I worked on posts, edited pictures, and did something around the house. My best friend is getting married next weekend so I had to be productive this weekend.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, that's so terrifying! Random freak accidents really can happen at any point. It's a good idea to enjoy the moment. I'm glad that you were MOSTLY unscathed and you were taken good care of while there. I tend to get hurt in really weird ways too.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
Oh my goodness, so scary! I am glad you had people around that could help!
ReplyDelete<3 Shannon
Oh my goodness, Elle! I don't think I've ever had a moment like this. I can only imagine how scary that must have been. It must have been the longest 15 minutes of your life. It really is amazing how fragile life is.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds horrible! So far I have not had anything similar happening to me, but I have had life changing moments for sure. Having my kids for example, but that was way more positive than what poor you had to experience!
ReplyDeleteLinda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking
Oh that must've hurt big time! Sorry you had to go through that! I, too, had a life-changing moment in 2008, not an accident, but a sickness. Thank God all is well now and I'm alive!
ReplyDeleteWow I am so glad you are ok hun, it may have been a freak accident but that kind of thing can cause lots of trauma psychologically especially a few years after, have you had counselling ? xx
ReplyDeletewww.fashionjazz.co.za
What a horrible thing to happen to you but thankfully you had help from others. It could have been worse. Yes we have to enjoy every moment and be happy.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a nice week.
Julie
Oh my gracious, how terrifying!! I'm so glad they were able to get you out of there!
ReplyDeleteOMG! What a crazy story! And what a janky bus!! I'm so glad everyone worked together to get you outta there. I'd be terrified too, especially if I couldn't speak the language.
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful photo associated with such a painful memory. I'm so sorry that happened to you, I can't imagine how scary something like that would be. So glad you had people there to help take care of you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a crazy accident, especially in a forgein country! So glad people stepped in to help and get you free!
ReplyDelete