On March 10, my husband and I celebrated the Tibetan New Year, filled with joy and hope for the future in our new house. Just moments later, my life was in danger.

I was moving my car to the carport when, in an instant, I lost control. I don’t fully remember how it happened, but it felt like something out of a horror movie. My car crashed into the wall of the carport, then flew onto the roof, smashing through the chimney and skylights, before landing in a big buckeye tree that sits between our house and our neighbor’s house.

I was trapped, tilting precariously, praying for help as I feared I might roll down the steep hill. In that terrifying moment, I thought of my elderly parents in Tibet, whom I haven’t seen in more than six years, and felt a deep sense of appreciation for life itself. I was terrified, but I also knew how fragile and precious life is. I prayed for my safety.

My husband thought it was an earthquake due to the loud noises. When he ran outside and saw my car hanging from a tree, he immediately called 911 and the San Rafael Fire Department. He later told me they arrived quickly — it felt like just two or three minutes.

When I first saw the fire department trucks’ lights, I managed to wave, despite the overwhelming panic and pain. With a trembling, tearful voice, I cried out, “Please help me!” I vividly remember someone calling my name in response. In that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief and calm wash over me. The fire department’s presence gave me the strength to hold on, and I will never forget that moment of reassurance. I cried tears of relief, knowing that help had arrived.

It’s truly a miracle that I’m still alive today. The force and chaos of that accident should have taken my life, but thanks to the fire department’s swift, decisive actions, I’m here to tell my story.

I also want to thank my neighbors, who must have been just as scared and worried. Their care and concern were evident, and I’m incredibly thankful for their support during such a terrifying time.

The first responders worked tirelessly, securing the car and preventing it from damaging my neighbor’s house or falling down the hill. The time it took to safely pull me from the wreckage felt like an eternity, but I’m still here today because of their skills, determination and compassion.

It probably took more than three hours to remove the car from the tree, but I could feel the care and urgency in every action they took.

They didn’t just help me; they brought peace of mind to my husband and everyone else who was there. They knew I was in the hands of people who truly cared.

I will never be able to thank them enough for what they did. It was truly an angelic act, and because of them, I’m here to continue my life and rebuild my home. The damage to our house is severe, but I’m so grateful to be alive, thanks to them. They’re real-life heroes, and I will always remember their kindness and care.

Tseden Drolma is a San Rafael resident. IJ readers are invited to share their stories of love, dating, parenting, marriage, friendship and other experiences for our How It Is column, which runs Tuesdays in the Lifestyles section. All stories must not have been published in part or in its entirety previously. Send your stories of no more than 600 words to lifestyles@marinij.com. Please write How It Is in the subject line. The IJ reserves the right to edit them for publication. Please include your full name, address and a daytime phone number.