Yesterday started as a typical day. Well, let me qualify that statement - this whole week has been hectic and stressful, with way too much going on; however, within that context, yesterday started as a typical day. I was working on the multiple, overlapping projects that have consumed much of my time, energy, thoughts and emotions this week, feeling a bit sorry for myself that I had so much to do and so little time. My focus was on me I have to get this done. All these things are piling up on me.

I spoke to Chelan in the morning. She called to let me know that she received the Easter card and marshmallow Peeps that Caryl and I sent, and she was so happy and upbeat. I laughed with her, reminded her to go to the bookstore to pick up her cap and gown, and told her how much I was looking forward to seeing her in a month at her graduation - which was all true, but at the same time, my mind was on getting back to what I needed to work on. My mind was on me.

Around 1:00 my cell phone rang again, and the caller ID showed that it was Chelan. I answered, thinking that she would have an update on buying her cap and gown or something equally mundane. Her first words, in a broken voice, were: "Dad, first of all, everybody's okay, but Allison, Brittany, Lee and I were just in a car accident."

In a split second my mind stopped processing all of the other "things" that I had to get done. My mind stopped processing. My mind forgot that Chelan had started with "everybody's okay."

There is a song co-written by Don Henley and covered by the Eagles called New York Minute. The lyrics in the middle of the song say:

Lying here in the darkness
I hear the sirens wail
Somebody going to emergency
Somebody's going to jail
If you find somebody to love in this world
You better hand on tooth and nail
The wolf is always at the door

In a New York Minute
Everything can change
In a New York Minute
Things can get a little strange
In a New York Minute
Everything can change
In a New York Minute

And in these days
When darkness falls early
And people rush home
To the ones they love
You better take a fool's advice
And take care of your own
One day they're here;
Next day they're gone.

Once my mind could comprehend what Chelan was saying again, I gathered that she and her friends were returning to campus and were t-boned by a car in an intersection, the impact right where Chelan was sitting. She was sitting in the ambulance with one of her friends, who was complaining of head pain. Chelan insisted that she was fine, only a little shoulder pain. I insisted that Chelan allow the paramedics to take her to the hospital, too, to be evaluated.  I also encouraged her to convince everyone involved to do the same.

A couple hours later, Chelan called again to let me know that she was fine, on her way back to campus. No broken bones, no whiplash, no internal injuries. A possible neck strain and some bruises, and the likelihood that she would wake up this morning wondering what elephant had danced the tarantella all over her body while she slept. The hospital gave her prescriptions for pain and muscle relaxers. I felt like I could use the same.

The week was put into perspective for me yesterday afternoon. I stopped thinking about me. At least for a while. I was reminded that life is short, that people are precious, and that things can change forever in a New York minute.

I was also reminded that, as I celebrate this holy week of Easter, Jesus Christ came to this earth, lived as a man in order to die for my sins, and rose from the grave to grant that I might have eternal life. I was reminded that I have so much. I have everything. I was reminded that I need to stop thinking of me so much, and take the time God has given me each day to appreciate and love the blessings He has given me.

May the blessings of God touch your life as you celebrate the gift of His grace this week, and throughout the year.