I have been a reserved person most of my life. The family environment was good, kind and helpful.  That I write a blog still startles me because of the requisite openness.

However, there is a story that  needs telling. Two ladies, Paula and Sally, were planning a day in NYC! They were to have lunch, see a play, dine afterwards and check on an elderly friend.  

Things went very well. Lunch, Phantom of the Opera and dinner were quite enjoyable.  They had visited a friend then headed home.  Their plan was to pass by the stores & hotels to see the Christmas decorations on their way. 

Their travel continued along slowly as there was much holiday traffic. They moved from traffic light to traffic light in bumper to bumper traffic on Sixth Avenue.  Paula checked the intersection at 42nd Street prior to entering it. She saw a huge truck swerve around double-parked cars heading east. She prayed: "Please God let it stop. Let the truck stop."  It didn't appear to be slowing down. They passed over 42nd street and stopped at the next light. They could not move any where in the heavy traffic!

Suddenly, there was an acrid, putrid odor...one that seemed worse than something burning.  Paula looked at the heater... at the car's hood...into the rear view mirror.  No smoke, steam or burning was to be seen. But still that horrible smell... Then came the loud crumbling, crashing noise..a large tractor trailer was hitting their vehicle!! Paula looked every where but there was no way out!!! She held her hand in the horn for 10 seconds as confirmed by Sally afterwards!  She said a prayer: "Please God help me get my sister out of this mess!!! She doesn't deserve to be hurt!"  

By then the truck driver had crashed the green sedan in to a mirror image "k". While alongside their sedan, it caught the green mirror between the fender and tire of that massive vehicle!  

Paula heard a voice say: "Wait! Wait! Now!"  She was able to grab and turn the steering wheel to direct their car to the opposite side of 6th Avenue.  

The ladies called 911 to get help. Then both ladies exited the vehicle with the driver having to push very hard on her door. Sally crossed the street to obtain the license plate of the cab trailer of the truck. Meanwhile, Paula sought witnesses to the accident on the far side of 6th avenue. Three people said 'no' but they heard her horn!  

Then the truck driver crossed the roadway addressing the ladies, by saying "Why did you hit me? You turned into me!" Paula replied: "No,we were stopped at the light."  Sally,  the front seat passenger, concurred and said so to the trucker.  As we discussed the situation, a male pedestrian called out loudly: "Come on.. it is Christmas time!"  Paula then told the trucker, all I want from you is your license and registration! His response was let the police handle it.  

The sedan weighed about 3700 lbs. The truck was loaded with 55,000 lbs, so there was about 20 times difference in the size of the two vehicles. That collision alone should have forced their car across the roadway a couple of lanes.  

The ladies returned to their sedan and waited for the police. It seemed like forever before the police arrived.  They were in the same traffic.  Meanwhile, the trucker crossed 6th Avenue again and said to Paula: Are you coming out to talk with me?  She replied : " No let the police handle it." The driver called 911 again to say this trucker is back again and is alarming us.   

After nearly an hour, the police arrived and handled all the reporting and conversations. So the ladies were on their way home soon afterwards. They had the benefit of 4 miracles that night.  The trucker was able to stop at the 42nd street light.  Their car wasn't pushed across 6th Avenue and into at least two other lanes of traffic. An angel was on the back seat guiding the driver out of the situation. Both ladies exited the vehicle, survived and only one was injured.  

This event occurred on 12/8/2007 and was described to Paula as the night the ladies met God face to face!  Laus Deo!  

Please let me know your comments, ideas and suggestions on this story as written. I appreciate your kindness.