The Date

Sometimes life throws unexpected curves that temporarily interrupt even our most cherished routines. In this brief but deeply personal episode, I share news that's difficult to deliver—a serious head-on collision has temporarily paused my storytelling.

What began as a promising evening on June 25th—my husband and I heading to a rare midweek date night of dinner and a concert—turned catastrophic in an instant. The accident left me with multiple broken bones in both legs, broken ankles, damaged kneecaps, a broken finger, and four broken ribs. After waking up in the trauma department and enduring three surgeries so far, I'm on a recovery journey that's been challenging but filled with gratitude. My husband, who escaped with relatively minor physical injuries, has become my rock—managing our home, the accident aftermath, his job, and my care with heroic dedication.

Though I attempted to research and prepare a fascinating Mothman legend for this episode, my body and mind signaled they needed rest. My temporary absence isn't about seeking sympathy, but rather honoring my commitment to you—the listeners who deserve thoroughly researched stories and quality delivery. Front Porch Mysteries will never compromise on those standards. I aim to return to the porch with fresh stories in two weeks, and I hope you'll stick with me through this brief hiatus. Your listenership means everything, and as always, you remain the driving force behind every story I share from this Southern porch.

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Episode Transcript

Carole Townsend (00:08):
Good evening listeners, and welcome to Front
Porch Mysteries with CaroleTownsend.
Normally we'd gather again onthis porch to share a tale
rooted in the South, whether inher forests, her rivers, her
mountains or bayous.
But tonight I have somethingdifferent to share with you.

(00:30):
On June 25th, my husband and Iwere driving to a rare midweek
date destination.
We had planned to go to a nicerestaurant followed by a concert
we'd been wanting to see foryears.
On our way to the restaurant,we were involved in a head-on
collision.
Both of my legs were broken inseveral places.

(00:54):
My ankles were broken, mykneecaps were badly damaged, one
of my fingers was broken andfour ribs were broken.
I went into shock at the sceneand woke up in the trauma
department of a wonderful localhospital.
Since then I've had threesurgeries two on my legs and one

(01:16):
on my hand.
I expect to have two more.
My husband escaped withrelatively minor injuries, but
he's still suffered a great dealas he's taken care of me, our
home, the business of such awreck, his job and more.
He's a true hero.

(01:37):
I share all of this with you notto garner pity or to make
excuses.
I share it with you to explainwhy I will not be sharing a
story with you this evening fromthe front porch.
I tried to research, write andrecord a wonderful legend for
you the Mothman.
And that's coming.
I just realized that my body andmy brain needed to rest and

(02:01):
recover, just as my legs andribs needed that time to heal.
You have all been so faithfulwith your listening and it
breaks my heart to come to youthis evening with this story of
sorts.
But I believe in thoroughresearch, top-notch writing and
excellent delivery to listenersand I will not compromise that.

(02:22):
I truly hope you'll continue totune in, as my goal is to bring
another story to the porch intwo weeks.
A lot has to happen between nowand then, but that is my goal.
Thank you so much for your kindwords and for listening to Front
Porch Mysteries.
You are the reason that we dowhat we do.

(02:45):
This is Carole Townsend.