New Beginnings.
One of Sandler’s beautiful qualities is his open expression of appreciation for the good in his life. For example—last night, after returning home from a full day of skateboarding around LA [with Skate Above], during a break from his pizza, he said, "Mommy... thank you so much for making my life come 'twue'... I just love my life so much and am the happiest boy in the whole wide America!" Simple, yet profound statements often come out of his sophisticated mouth. It never ceases to amaze me that the timing of his heartfelt quotes always seem to grace conversations appropriately. More often than not, it stops those engaged and causes them to reflect positively.
A few months back, August 16th, 2018, to be exact, a date the Chase family will never forget, because it also happens to be my birthday… The three of us set out early in the morning to pick up a couple of friends who had flown in to visit. On the way to the airport, Sandler called attention to himself by belting out, "Today is going to be a very important day! It's my mommy's birthday and she will never be the same person again because she is beautiful and OLD!" He was absolutely right in that another year had past and another one stared ahead. What Sandler could not have known was how painfully prophetic his prediction turned out to be.
Moments after picking up the two guests from the airport, our car was t-boned and flipped upside down at an extremely busy intersection. Once the car had settled, we felt like a family of possums hanging upside down, strapped in our seat belts, nodding our heads that we were okay. The top part of the car was smashed in so severely that shards of windshield were embedded in everyone’s head. The car was compacted to the point that the first responders had to use the “Jaws of Life” to pull each passenger out of the car. Miraculously, all five were left without serious injuries. Therefore, Sandler suggested to the first responders that they put himself, his sister, and his little buddy in the fire truck to get a better view of the action.
At that moment, though concerned, dazed, and most certainly confused—I looked at the three children sitting on top of the fire truck adorning fireman hats and waving at the horrified onlookers and thought, “What an absolute blessing those kids are not only 'wired' as they are, but also how Sandler exhibited his survival instinct to save the kids, and even the adults, from suffering the typical panic that comes with witnessing such a tragedy. The accident scene alone told a vicious story that assumed no possible survivors—let alone five. Then to see the three children looking as though they were heading a parade of some kind was yet another testament that they were destined to live.
Tragedy often derives something of beauty—this case was no exception. Getting through the first several weeks [even months] were excruciating at best. It was Sandler's assuredness that it had happened for a reason, that propelled greatness from the unfathomable. Taking advantage of his mom’s temporary “yes-man” state in attempt to replace such awful memories, he convinced me to buy him a new skateboard. Which proved to expand his healing from one of the most tumultuous incidents ever experienced. He has missed but only a couple of days riding his skateboard since the accident, which fosters the gift of fearlessness he so remarkably exhibited back on that fateful day.
- Nikki