If you saw a news piece about a woman who was running on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California, before The Rose Parade on New Year's Day, who was hit by a woman who was allegedly drunk, please realize that this woman (runner) was my sister. My sister is a part of Team-In-Training and she trains and then races to raise funds for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society.
This morning was a "fun" run. The group runs the route of the Rose Parade, backwards, beginning about 5-5:30 in the morning. They then take a shuttle back to their cars and go to breakfast together. This is an event that has occurred for 14 years. The road is closed off from vehicle traffic beginning about 10 pm on New Year's Eve. So there should never be a problem. The runners are very close and they made sure that my sister was taken care of, that her cats were cared for, and that our family was notified. This group is very special!!!
Fortunately, my sister is doing fairly well, although she is still in ICU. Our family is strong. My son and daughter-in-law made arrangements for the care of their four children and drove 3 hours to be with their aunt. My brother and sister-in-law drove 6 hours to be with their sister and sister-in-law. My mother is staying at home, for the moment, because the traveling would be difficult for her. My niece, my sister's daughter, who lives in Hawaii, can't fly immediately. She's waiting until her Mom is out of the hospital, etc. I am waiting to find out what is the best way I can help, before I drive 8+ hours.
There may be something good that occurred in this horrible experience. My sister seems to be recovering without any major injuries, as far as we know. However, if the woman had NOT swerved left and hit my sister, and then swerved right after she hit my sister, she would have run over an entire family sitting on the curb on Colorado Boulevard, early, staking out a space in order to watch THE ROSE PARADE.
We, as genealogists, see/hear so many stories about our families. Sometimes I forget to consider the consequences of the other family members. I get so involved in the stories. This brought things a little closer to home.
So, please don't drink and drive. Or use any devices that make you a "distracted driver."
P.S. Yes, I'm very emotional right now. If I had a week or two to think about the event, I might have written this differently. But with this being the new year, and many people making resolutions, I'm asking that you all consider Not drinking, or using any distracting device, while driving.
THANK YOU. The life you don't hurt may be the relative of one of us.
Hi, Karen. I just saw your post. I pray your sister is doing well now! As I runner and cyclist, I know we are at the mercy of drivers and pray they are paying attention! There is only so much we can do to protect ourselves. Praying all is well with her!
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