The Miracle of Tomorrow

The dread of the morning,

the numb emptiness,

leaves her hollow.

She bears the scars that reflect the dreaded pain,

the pain of the past bearing its weight on her shoulders.

Trapped.

She will never be free,

free of the wretched moment,

the origin of the pain.

Weakness.

Humanity.

Guilt.

Call it what it may be,

it now feels like a part of her.

The vivid details etched into her mind.

Stuck on a loop.

Spinning like a record on repeat.

The color of the stoplight switching.

The passing cars on the opposite lane.

The slow car in front of her.

Thinking it was clear.

Making that one left turn.

The reverberating bang.

The sound of her sister's terrified scream.

The mighty force of the truck.

The clash of steel on steel.

The clang of glass shattering.

The screech of the tires.

That moment of stunned silence.

Fear. Written in her sister's eyes.

Gasping that much needed breath of air.

The horror 

sinking into her chest,

weighing her down

like an anchor

being plunged into the ocean, 

with no hope of being pulled back up.

The blurred events that followed. 

Everything silent.

Playing out like a dream.

The concerned faces of witnesses.

The lights. The police. The ambulence.

None of it mattered.

Only her sister.

On the passenger side.

Who had warned her.

Time and time again.

No.

Not experienced.

Not ready.

Not safe.

Too scary for her behind the wheel.

But licensed.

Impatient.

In control.

Eager.

Ready.

One mistake.

Forever changing their lives.

Thinking that it was clear.

Silence.

Everything vulnerable in their gaze.

The words unspoken between sisters.

More fear. 

Emotional pain.

Pleading guilt.

More pain.

Silence.

A miracle.

The damage,

substancial.

Only the car.

Passengers.

Physically unharmed.

Still.

The overwhelming guilt

inundating her,

straight to the core of her being.

Her heart heavy.

She didn't want forgiveness.

Didn't deserve it.

How could she ask?

One mistake.

That's all it took.

The realization.

She almost got her killed.

Her sister.

Her epic source of happiness in life.

Necessary words.

Powerful.

Barely audible,

but whispered like an eternal promise.

I'm sorry.

The sincere apology,

displayed behind blurred tears.

No sign of forgiveness.

It's okay.

Hope.

The chance of life.

More than okay.

Small car.

Totaled.

But no passengers injured.

Relieved parents.

Guardian angels.

Cars.

Replacable.

Life.

Genuinely precious.

Guilt.

Temporary.

Not permanent.

Pain.

Perennial.

Healed over time.

Love.

Eternal.

Strength.

Powerful.

Faith.

Everlasting.

Family.

A blessing.

Tomorrow?

Even better.

Because they have it.

Another day to live.

Life.

Meant to be enjoyed to the fullest.

Meant to be appreciated.

Despite moments of

Pain. Weakness. Mistakes.

There is balance.

Equal joys of

Healing. Strength. Perfection.

In the end,

mistakes can be fixed,

hearts can be mended,

emotions can be fleeting,

and memories can fade.

But that promise of life?

The ultimate miracle of tomorrow.