Long post warning - but please read to the end, it's important - for you.
This morning, something happened that was a reminder of how fragile and tenuous life is. Not life in general - but your life. Your child's life, your parent's life your spouse's life, your best friend's life. None of us make it out of here alive, and we never ever know how it's going to happen or when. Remember that, every minute of every day, and make it count. Please know that this is not about me, this is just an example, I'm not looking for sympathy or comments or advice, just please take this as a reminder of how important it is to make your life a positive one. Here's the story:
A transport truck driver made a poor judgment call on the old can-I-make-it-through-this-light-or-should-I-brake-and-possibly-skid-through-it-anyway conundrum. He decided too late, and if I hadn't been going through the intersection, he would have made it anyway and continued on his way, running the red safely. He saw me, not quite in time, and was able to stop, but not before hitting my car. Fortunately, the damage was minimal, and there were no serious injuries. Unbelievably "lucky" you might say.
Unbelievably "lucky"? Yes. If I had entered the intersection a second earlier, no problem, a second later, I may not be writing this. If he had hit the brakes a second earlier, no problem, a second later, I would not be writing this. A second. A single second. For anyone who doesn't believe in fate/higher power/god/coincidence/guardian angel/whatever you want to call it, here is something to ponder.
A few years ago, I had the good fortune to work with a lady who was the sweetest, most positive, caring and joyful person I've ever met. Nothing could stop her from smiling, she saw the good in everyone, her laughter was contagious, and the word "delightful" has her picture in the dictionary as a definition. Unfortunately, we lost her a couple of years ago due to an infection contracted after routine surgery. She was in her early 40's, and it devastated everyone who knew her.
This morning, after the accident, I pulled off into the nearest parking lot to gather my wits, grab my phone to call the police, and before I could get out of the car, a lady was knocking on the window. As soon as I saw her, standing there with her hood protecting her from the rain, she seemed familiar, not in looks really, but it just felt like I had met her somewhere before. The first thing that came to mind was that she was the person who helped my daughter and me after hitting a deer about 25 years ago, when strangers pulled us from the car, brushed the broken safety glass from the shattered windshield off our clothes, and helped us contact the police and my father (those were the days before cell phones). But I don't know if it was the same lady. This lady had witnessed the accident, confirmed that the truck driver had run a red, wanted to see if I was ok, and gave me her contact info so I could give it to the cops. She wound up staying there until the police arrived, and gave them her statement. Unbelievable. But at the time she knocked on the window, I didn't realize that she was special.
You see, I strongly believe that I have been, more than once, saved by a "guardian angel" (or whatever you choose to call it based on the religion/belief you subscribe to, they're all pretty much the same with different labels). Today, my guardian angel was the lady I used to work with, Mrs. Delightful. She not only kept watch over me, and made sure that this was not my time to go, but also sent me a message that it was her, in the form of a stranger who felt familiar because of a similar circumstance, allowing me to feel trustful and stay calm. The name of the lady I worked with and who we lost too soon was Kristi Hood. The name of the lady who witnessed the accident and stayed to make sure I was ok was Christine Hood.
The lesson? Life is fragile, we have no control over it. If it's meant to be, we will be gone. If something happens to us, and we're still here, maybe we just need to learn from it. Maybe each time something scary or awful or sad happens, it's a way for us to prepare for the next thing. We will never know what that will be, when it will happen, and all we can do is remember to live each moment gratefully, positively, mindfully, and joyfully, because if we don't, and our last moments are selfish, negative, careless, or angry, that will be our legacy.
So really, for whomever you care about, tell them you love them. How else will they know? Do something magical for someone that doesn't expect it. Do your part to make the world - or your corner of it - a better place. Hug your kids, your parents, your best friend, your worst enemy. Vote for positive change, not a buck a beer. Care for those who cannot care for themselves. Seek to understand instead of fear. Let hatred slink back into the darkness, then light floodlights to fill that darkness and love the world instead of allowing hatred to show it's ugly face.
Live life, love more, breathe deeply, remember that you are what you do. If I can change one person's actions through this lengthy post, from a negative one to a positive one, then I will be truly grateful. I love you all.
