In spring, the snow melts yet the wind still chills the air around us, sending a shiver down my spine as I prepare for my journey to get to the Addiction Recovery Center. I do like the times when I see the warm sun outside and how it envelopes the earth with heat that sometimes is just enough to be so refreshing. Yet the icy streets are very hazardous. I know of a few people who have had incidents slipping on ice which can be a painful experience. I’ve observed a few accidents as I was getting off a bus – not a pretty sight.

Recently a good friend of mine, Ruth, visited Edmonton from Terrace, British Columbia. On her travels on a Greyhound bus she got into a very death defying accident. When I say “death defying”, I mean it because she actually died for a short while in the snow. It was a very dramatic and fearful experience for her.

Ruth was going to stay overnight at a hotel but decided to continue on her journey, which was a decision made in haste with undesirable consequences. As the bus continued on its way, and Ruth and the other passengers rested, they did not expect a rude awakening. The bus swerved on black ice and hit a rail and toppled deep down the side of the road. Ruth recalls sailing into the air. The windshield and side windows were smashed out in the crash before Ruth lost consciousness.

She awoke to snow covering her body and smothering her face. She tried to call out for help. The crushing feeling of snow on her chest left her feeling helpless and there was no sign of rescue. The impact of the crash made other passengers topple on her, making it seem like a snow covered coffin with no escape.

Ruth thought that these were the last moments of her life. However, she was found because her hand was sticking out of the snow. What a moment of relief! However, it was also very emotional and had a deep impact on her.

Always make a point to pray to be safe out there if you’re walking or driving because all of a sudden you may be faced with circumstances beyond your control, like my dear friend Ruth. I am so thankful she is alive. Blessings to you all!

Clara lives in McCauley.