Close Call

The other day, we were driving home and approaching an intersection. We had the green light and were about two car lengths from the middle of the intersection when, like a flash, a car went across in front of us at least 50 mph, if not faster. It went by so fast that I really could not judge its speed. Had we been driving a little faster, it could have hit us on the passenger side. Since Jennifer was driving, the car would have hit us on my side. I am not sure I would have survived such an impact.

Since this happened, I have looked around my life to see what others would have found in my absence. I have nothing to hide, so there were no skeletons to be found, but I wonder whether the way I acted or was perceived by others would have made a lasting impact I would not have been proud of. Funny thing, one of the first places I looked was Facebook. My last several posts were my usual cars, high-performance aviation, and other trying-to-be-funny sort of things, along with something I wrote. I hate the political climate and the division among people in society now. Where I would place blame is most likely not where others place blame, so I try my best to stay away from those. But there are times when I cannot help myself and join in.

Another thing I did was to look around my places at home, like the garage, my sanctuary. There are no skeletons there either, but there is a lot of junk to someone’s eye if they were tasked with cleaning it out. Junk to someone else is treasure to me. I am not sure what the real value of what is in the garage is, but maybe Jennifer would have made out well with an on-site auction… or maybe not worth her time. Maybe it would be best to pay someone to haul off everything.

When I was told I had cancer, I went through this same thing, where I looked around to see where my life had an impact. When I found out that I was now a cancer survivor, my gratitude for everything went sky-high and has not landed but has lost altitude from time to time. For the most part, I am grateful for everything, even the simple things we usually take for granted. When we lost most everything to the Harvey Flood, I saw the good in people who stepped up to help in more ways than I can count. The Blessings outweighed the tragedy. I do not see the color of skin, but the character behind the eyes. That is how I have always looked at people and always will. We are all of the Human Race and should not be defined by how dark or light our skin is.

Maybe a wake-up call or a close call like this is good from time to time to remind us of who we are and how we are perceived.

As I evaluate my life, I become more aware of my mortality when something like this happens. The one thing I am certain of is that through the Grace of Jesus Christ, I know where I will be the instant my heart stops.