Quantum of Solace please

The daughter and I could have died yesterday --- we were involved in a 4-car freak accident on our way home and by a stroke of 'mee-pok' luck, we averted death. The daughter was feeling sick and hungry after her morning work shift and I had just picked her up from the MRT station. Thought I'll cheer her up with a packet of her favourite 'mee pok'. Just managed to stop the car to ease into a parking lot when a goods van veered out of control from the opposite lane, hit the gas delivery truck in front of us, spun 360 degrees and smashed head-on into our car. Like in a 007-movie, played out in slow motion, I told the daughter to sit tight, uttered an "Oh my God", and when the impact hit us and the van had come to a standstill, I shouted for the daughter to get out and run away from the scene fast and far away, as the huge gas cylinders from the truck in front were knocked onto the road! I did not want to be caught in any inferno arising from any leaked gas! I tell you ... thank goodness we were both still safely buckled up and fortunately, the gas truck got the first impact and we only got a reduced impact from the spun van! I dread to think how the daughter and I could have collided head-on with the van had we not stopped for the 'mee pok'! Thank God too that there were miraculously no serious casualties. A lady passsenger of the van had slight cuts and the driver and she were traumatised. The goods van was badly smashed in and my car was the next badly damaged vehicle. Anyway to cut the long story short, I summoned the police, ambulance and the husband. All involved exchanged particulars and later this morning, I would have to make an accident report and insurance claim.

Just to share with you the candid responses I received over the course of yesterday's accident:

1. Son No. 3 called me on my cell phone to ask if I was okay and thence proceeded to continue with his anaylsis of his 2009 school textbook bill and uniform procurement. The accident, notwithstanding, he was more concerned about continuing with our discussion earlier on before I left the house. It was surreal, but I answered him and continued with our discussion, in the midst of talking to the attending traffic cop and the other drivers.

2. The husband was a little exasperated with my unclear directions given to him of the accident location. SIGH! He said that his ex-girl friend would have done a better job. Darn!

3. As for my daughter, I told her that what's done is done and that she should continue to eat her 'mee pok' at the accident scene noodle shop while I attended to the aftermath. Told her to walk home after that while the hubby and I took care of the matter.

Haiz . . . you would think that the daughter and I would get some quantum of solace and fuss over this accident. No . . . essentially, we are quite stoic over matters involving non-consequential outcomes. I was even sent out later in the evening to get peppermint ice cream and early this morning, sons no. 1 and 3 asked if they could be taken for the promise swim session at the club! And right now, the very virulent virus has infected 2 more in the family; that leaves son no. 3, me and the hubby the remaining healthy ones. Vomit, sore-throat and fever central has played for about a week now, and if things do not improve, I must take all for a second trip to the docs.