YLDP: “Audrey almost died”

Yeah, what Dr. Sam said- “Audrey Kwong almost died”- is true. Not so close to death that I got fatally injured, cut open, and sent to the ICU to recuperate or something, but just that I almost got into a car accident.

It was during treasure hunt. My group and I were walking downhill on the road by the playground in Frasers. Many others were around me as there was about 2-3 other groups there too. I was walking about 2 meters ahead of those in my group as we were walked single file down the right side of the road. I knew there was a car coming from behind, and I could see another car on my side of the road coming uphill. It was all very safe and very normal. We were all safely as far to the side as we possibly could without walking in the drain. The cars should be able to drive on without any problem.

Suddenly, many things seem to have happened at the same time. My slow brain couldn’t process so many things at the same time. That stupid car (I’m calling the car coming uphill ‘the stupid car’) swerved towards me and seemed to have sped up at the same time. My group members and some others behind me started shouting… something… I only remember hearing “Audrey! Audrey!” and everything else was a blur. My mind couldn’t quite register that the car had swerved and was coming up towards me fast cos it was just slow and safe a few seconds before.

By the time I realized it, I guess I would’ve been waking up in heaven or in an ICU if the car hadn’t made an emergency stop.

I was in a daze. My mind was a blank. The car drove away and I still was in a daze. I cant even remember what exactly happened after that close shave. I knew Andrea and Evelyn were among the shouters close behind me. They had to ask me if I was alright and tell me what happened cos I just didn’t quite know what happened.

It was awhile before the incident started sinking in. Poor Andrea seemed to have gotten a greater scare than me at first. Later when my slow mind registered what happened only did I feel the full extent of that scare. Running through my mind was replays of the stupid car swerving and speeding up towards me while I was being a slow idiot, not reacting to anything. I was much more scared then I let on then.

Getting into an accident smack right in the middle of YLDP, away from the campsite, in Frasers hill, with the weather being so cold, and my parents away… definitely not an ideal place and time to get injured or to die. I guess dying wouldn’t be too bad for me- no suffering; but definitely troublesome for the facilitators. Also, probably much more shocking and traumatic for my friends to witness my death compared to me getting injured. Getting injured in Frasers would totally suck considering the nearest hospital’s a few hours away and I’ll have to go through winding roads that’ll make me sick.

At the end of the day, we were asked to ponder over two questions while taking into account the events of the day. What are you most grateful for? And what are you least grateful for?

Obviously, I was most grateful for my life, and for not getting injured. As for what I’m least grateful for? I couldn’t think of any. Han Yuan suggested the lousy driver. I did consider it, but that was not it. I am actually quite grateful to the driver. Grateful that he did make the emergency stop and didn’t bang into me. And from that incident, I leant to appreciate life better. Also, it served as a reminder that life can just end anytime, anywhere.