Major high and major low this weekend. Saw Springsteen (yes, again, and I'm not done yet) on Saturday night with my mom, my older sister and my nephew - plus a few friends. He was great. Especially all his digs at Dick Cheney.

But all thoughts vanished right into the air Sunday morning when the phone rings and it's my dad - who had just been in a pretty bad accident. He and my brother were hit while on the GW Parkway. They're both okay - except my dad has two rib fractures and he's in a lot of pain. My brother was banged up but appears to be feeling better. The car's likely totalled but the insurance machine is just now taking over.

I can't begin to share all of the thoughts that went through my mind - and the only thing that keeps me steady is knowing that it could have been so much worse. But that doesn't help either one of them deal with the pain they're in now - specially my dad. I'd do anything to switch places with him - but my mom tells me there's no point in thinking like that. And I know she's right - but it doesn't stop the feeling.

The hardest part? Going to the wrecking yard where the car had been towed - and seeing my dad's glasses lying on the floor behind the driver's seat. I lost it a little then. Today, I keep imagining the impact that would cause the specs to fly. Hopefully that mental image fades - but not completely. It reminds me how lucky we are that they're both still here.