By Iris WIldflower, March 28, 2019 — On Christmas Day 1991, my life was changed in an instant. The car I was in, along with the driver, myself, my son, and granddaughter, was hit head-on by a drunk driver. My good friend Ricky came to Cheltenham to take us to the family Christmas dinner at 10th and Rockland. Bro. Ricky was dressed as Santa Claus, along with the sack full of toys & gifts.
Heading south on Bd. Street we were waiting to make a left on to Rockland when the car heading north hit us. My head hit the dashboard, causing a dent in it. We hit a mailbox, [and I] hit my head again, splitting the skin on my forehead. When we went through the storefront window, I was thrown into the windshield, but through it, knocked out and bleeding. My son held on to my granddaughter and tried to grab me but could not save us both. Ricky was a good driver and was able to do the best he could. I saw myself floating up, feel[ing] so good looking at myself sitting on steps holding my head…
“Mom, Mom, Mom,” I heard my son calling me. [I] snapped back [to] excruciating pain and shock. [The] jaws of life had to cut us out. My son and granddaughter [were] not hurt. [They] had on seat belts. Rick and I were badly hurt. [I] lost my memory for 10 years, had to learn to walk, talk cognitive reasoning & thinking, God blessed me with two awesome children who choose to keep [working with me] instead of putting me a home as the doctor’s suggested. They loved me through it, took care of me, and now I’m here today – healthy, whole, and remember everything. It was a long, hard road but love, God, and my children brought me through walking, talking, singing, laughing, and loving life. I. Wildflower, miracle.