When my car spun out of control, Biggie Smalls was rapping about how more money brings more problems. Then when it flipped, all I thought “Why me? Not now!” but my mouth was yelling “Oh God, No!”. Airbags deployed then in a few more moments, I heard a big bang. My car finally stopped. I look up and I saw was darkness & a bunch of trees. My lights were still on, and Biggie was still rhyming. I tried to open my door but it was stuck. So I grabbed my purse & my cellphone off the floor & opened the window. Don’t ask me how but I managed to get my big head through it & crawled out of the car. The state of shock I was in doesn’t allow me to remember how I did it. I do, however, remember hearing a loud “crack” from the tree that was preventing my car from falling the remainder 450ft. I had to move fast. I looked up and I can hear the cars on the highway, but I barely see it. I grabbed a tree stump and started to climb. I stuck my feet into the dirt as leverage to climb higher. 50 feet later, I was finally facing the same railing that my car crashed through. I collapsed on it and proceeded to call 911…
An hour later, after the police blocked the highway, I watched the tow truck pull my car out of the ditch. Ever crumpled up foil paper? That’s how the front & the rear of my car looked. I don’t know how I got out of that with no missing teeth, no broken bones or major injuries, but I am extremely grateful for it. My weave and nails were still fabulous darling. The rescue crew were giving me high fives because they’ve said other people have died in that same ditch. Also, they’ve never seen a woman save herself like the way I did. Was it the military training from over 10 years ago? Was it because I was in shock? No. It was because I knew it wasn’t time for me to leave my daughter yet. I refused to lose my position in life. If I was supposed to die at that moment, I would have been dead. Friday night was not that moment. This is part where I start playing Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” & do the cocaine snap.
Here comes the profound thoughts of life, God, my blessings and how horrible 2009 has been to me. To everyone. I don’t know what it is about this year that has everyone in a worldspin, but guess what?…[Yes, I'm about to tell you something that's very cliche.]…You’re still alive. Something, that I keep reminding myself since Friday night. Something, that all of my loved ones kept telling me all weekend. I want to sulk and sob about the things I have endured the past couple of months, but something cockblock the tears. There’s a lot more going on in my life and it’s amazing how you find out who your true friends are when you’re in need of help. Sucks that it has to be that way, but that’s how life is. And I am grateful that I still have mine.
The first image is the ditch. You can’t see my car from the edge of the highway. The only reason my car didn’t go further than 50ft was because it crashed into a tree. The second image are the 2 bruises I endured from the seatbelt that saved my life.
Life may be rough and a lot of unfair events will occur, but don’t allow it to alter your motivation. So many people go through life believing they’re being cheated or the world owes them something. I’m not going to lie, I am very guilty of that because I’m doing it now. However, no one owes you anything. You owe it to yourself because you chose & accepted what you receive. We create whatever we want in our lives. All you need is proper guidance and a perception to get there. Of course things like car accidents, plane crashes and certain diseases cannot be avoided, nor do we deserve them, but don’t waste too much of your time trying to figure out “why” it happened. Since the car accident, I haven’t been able to sleep well. Those that know me personally, knows that I love sleeping and can sleep for 12-14 hours straight without waking up. Now, I can barely fall asleep or stay asleep for more than 4 hours. I keep getting flashbacks of the accident. But, I have to fall back and really catch myself before I start to complain. When you complain, all you’re doing is not taken notice and being grateful for what we do have. We’re giving too much to dwell on what we lack. I believe once we appreciate the greatness we have, just by having life and being one of the people that He choose to wake up that morning, we will be granted more blessings. I have so much to be thankful for. Mainly, the fact that He spared my life so I can come home to my wonderful daughter. What more can I ask for?
12/22/09 Update: Pictures of my car:
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God Bless You……I got into an accident not too long ago and was in a state of shock and ran onto the sidewalk and almost into someones house all I could do was pray that I didn’t hit someone else I wasn’t even thinking about it possibly being my last day on earth. I am so happy to see that you made it out with no major injuries and applaud you for having the strength to save yourself and live for your daughter.
God Bless You and Your Family!
Omfg that’s sooo crazy! I’m glad you made it. Especially when others have not and were in that same ditch. Your angels were definitely with you on this one. <3
I’m so glad you’re okay. You really had an angel that night girlie, your daughter is lucky to have such a strong mama, but you both already know that.
Chanel,
There are MANY times that people see you as another LOL or a roaster, but people like me see you for the strong woman you are. You have your LOL’s, but you also have your times when you show just how intelligent and powerful you are, which sometimes is hard to do through font, yet you do it so eloquently and effortlessly. I believe you accident was a wake-up call for you to understand that you ARE a rare woman and you shouldnt take yourself for granted, not only because you have a little angel with your blood walking around here, but also because you touched lives you NEVER even expected to. You are what woman empowerment is all about. Even if I’ve never met you, I’m comfortable saying I love you and I’m happy you survived, because I’ve read your words, we’ve had convo’s, & I’ve spoken to you on the phone, and I admire you so much. I speak on behalf of a lot of people when I say….God Bless you ALWAYS, Chanel.
i sat here and read of your accident. i cringed at the thought of the pain and sheer terror you must have felt. i have been a fan of kisschanel.com for years and i am so thankful you survived. blessings to you and your family. stay safe and recover soon.
This is something I can relate to. I’ve survived two really bad ones. I still get flashbacks of the drunk old man that hit me in Brooklyn; who crunched up his Mercedes and died right in front of me. Shit is crazy; but def. makes you appreciate life. I guess I’m like a cat w/ 9lives n shit. I walked away from my first one like you; some bruises and a dislocated shoulder and some glass in my thigh that I have a lil tiny scar which reminds me every day that I am here for some reason still. The 2nd one I had 4months of physical therapy to endure but no broken bones or scratches so.. I am thankful to still be alive. I’m glad you had minor injuries to, for your sake and your daughters.
I am soooo sorry about your accident. I’m glad your okay though. I can’t imagine myself in your situation. I’d be scared to death.
So sorry & again, I’m glad you’re okay.
WTF?! Why didn’t I know anything of this?! This is soooo scary & so amazinnng all at once. I’m glad your survival instincts kicked in and you saved your own life. Just more incentive to appreciate every little second.
Chanel! That’s an amazing story. I’m so glad you’re okay. You’re truly a survivor, and I’m glad to hear you were able to get yourself out of this unharmed. This will be with you for the rest of your life.
thank goodness you survived – that is horrible, yet like everyone else stated, amazing that you were able to literally pull yourself out of that ditch.
without breaking a fucking nail, too?
as kanye would say… “if i could go through all that and still be breathing / bitch, bend over. i’m here for a reason”
I’m so glad to hear that you came out okay. I have drove through Atlanta several times especially in that area and that is scary. My little brother was in a car accident last year where his friend who was driving, died instantly after they ran into a house. My brother have to deal with that for the rest of his life but as I tell him like I’m going to say to you, God definitely has a plan for you and that is why you are still here. You may not see it now, but you will see it in the future. Glad to hear that you are okay.
God is soo good! I am so thankful that you’re alive Chanel. Your story has reminded me to keep God close, and as you said, be thankful we’re alive. Thank God.
You can always get another car, but you cannot get another you.
I’m glad you are still here with us with no major bodily injuries and it’s great to see that you are keeping a positive attitude about things.
you are indeed a very strong woman. – applauds you. this was a very inspirational entry
Blessings to you and yours.
God wasn’t ready for you indeed. Believe me. He have plans for you on this earth. Your daughter needs you. I suggest you take the time out and reflect on many things. I look at this as a wake up call. After my 1st and only accident I had to reevaluate my life for sure.
The sleepless nights is one things I know about. I didn’t sleep for months after my accident. Many nights I cried, stayed worried, but I got back in my car and told myself god is guiding me. I’m fine.
I’ll light a candle for you tonight.
Praise God that you are still here! I hope that He continues to hold you. Maybe God is trying to tell you something?
I’m glad your okay. It wasn’t time! I can relate but your simply amazing. You have so much more to do. I whine, bitch, cry but I remind myself. Let me get out of here before I leave a testimony! :-* I know you and Hen had a nice lil talk.
Man. I miss Twitter .. so I check my favorite person (you), and I saw the links. I was a mess reading this. I’m so happy you’re okay. I’m with you 100% on 2009 kicking everyone’s ass. I hit rock bottom this year and right now I’m trying to pick up the pieces right now. As young as I am, I’ve seen so much, and because I’m so young I’m not always able to deal. I’m really, really happy you’re alive and well. That’s what I feel after reading this. Happy to be alive.
I’m so sorry to hear about your accident. By the looks of your car, God definitely kept you here for a purpose. I do not know you personally, but I am a big fan of you on your blog and Twitter and I hope that you continue to be blessed and that 2010 is a better year than ’09 for you. Life definitely throws you curve balls and road blocks but remember that God never puts more on your plate than you can handle. Have a Happy Holiday and stay positive : )
All I can say is,God was with you,he protected you from harm because there is still something on this earth that he needs you to do.
Chanel – wow! What an experience. God definitely was there for you that night.
Sorry to hear about your unfortunate accident but really glad to know that you are doing ok. God is good and he saved you because he’s not done using you yet.So be happy and enjoy life to the fullest. Merry Christmas and I’ll see you in the New Year.
I don’t even know where to start…thank God you’re ok and made it out alive, I’m sure that was a horrific situation to be in.
You don’t know me, nor do I know you. A friend of mine sent me the link to your blog a few months ago and I read a few of your entries that day and saved the site saying to myself that I would come back to it. Since then I have not until today I came across the link again.
Maybe it was for a reason…I just want to say that some of the things you mentioned in this post touched a spot within me and I just had to comment.
There are times in our lives when things occur or things happen to us and we question WHY and WHY ME and we get angry, during those times we forget the important part that we’re still alive and that even though he has put us through trying times he still has us here for a reason…to keep on trying, to keep on fighting but most importantly to keep on living because there is more to us and more to come for us.
I’ve been through some things in my life, things that brought me to my knees and made me weak but I’m still alive. He’s kept me alive and even though there are those days when I still may question WHY, I still have to remember that I’m still alive.
Coming across your blog today has brought me back to that, it has allowed me to be grateful that I am still alive, to remember that things will happen, things will continue to happen, but being alive is a blessing.
I’m happy that you’re alive and doing well with no major injuries. Your life is a blessing and so are your words.
Wishing you all the best
WOW!!! Thank God for seatbelts and I’m so happy you’re ok. We’ve had enough deaths this year I can’t bare the thought of losing my favorite”innanet bitch” LOL.
Drive safely! XOXO
its crazy the cop said other people have died in that same ditch.. hmm maybe they should like fix it .. anyways this is something like a life time movie .. -never heard some one experience something like this before .. thank god you came out okay
Well thank god your okay sweetie!!!!!! I’m glad you’re okay =]
Wow, it’s been ages since I’ve been here. I thought you switched domains?
Thank God you lived and only suffered minor bruises. That’s a blessing. I’ve been in a car accident when I was younger… really terrifying and for me, it was like as it was occurring, time went my sooo slow but once it happened, time went by eerily fast and I felt like it took me days to get out the car. I’m glad that this has allowed you to delve into some introspection though. Really insightful reading this…
Wow ..
Chanel I’ve been checking your blog out for a couple of well already years now..
Just ..so now and then, when I get back to bloggers and some link of yours on some page reminds me of you and I think oh yeah that sexy woman with good words! ^_^
and then this time I read something like this ..
I’m really happy you have survived this accident.. and not only that..
Also that you take new positive energy out of it !
I wish you a very good year 2010, may it be full of love, innerpeace, good health, positive energy and full of joy for you Darling ..
x Olga
Oh wow… Chanel, I am very glad that you survived that and you are alive today to post this on your blog. Thank God that you didn’t have major injuries. *hugs*
Life is so full of surprises… we really shouldn’t take it for granted!
God is good!
Oh well first off thank God you are fine. You are 100% right about even thou life may be hell x10 atleast you are alive some people are not as fortunate!
wow I am glad that you survived. God blessed you with the future, an seeing your daughter grow up.
I’m just now reading this! You are truly blessed, my eyes were tearing up cause I lost a best friend in a car accident, all those memories were coming back into replay. You are blessed remember that, you are here for a reason. Lessons from the heart.
omg girl im so glad your okay. long time since I visited your blog. thank God your still alive. many blessings to you this 2010!