Yesterday was a cold reminder of how fragile life really is…
We (Annette and I) were heading back to Cape Coral from Titusville on the Beeline (Florida 528) when she alertly spotted an accident off of the highway right in front of us. Several cars immediately pulled off to the shoulder to render assistance but Annette insisted we pull over, too. Which I did, reluctantly. So many times you just want to move on and assume that the “others” that are there will handle the situation better or faster than you could. Not the case this time.
A single car accident, a young man in his early 20’s… nobody knew why his late model Honda veered off of the busy highway, sideswiped a information pole’s foundation and flipped over on it’s top. But when I had initially pulled over we were adjacent to an oncoming ramp so as Annette jumped out of the car to run back, I sat wondering how safe it was to leave the car where it was. Eyeing the approaching traffic through my rear view mirror (it was 5pm on a Saturday, everybody rushing home or out to do last minute Christmas shopping) and with the nose of my car right at the point of the ramp meeting the highway I decided to relocate off to the shoulder. Ofcourse, traffic started to slow and bottle neck, people either trying to avoid the scene and change lanes or just try to figure out what had happened. Minutes passed and I sat wondering what to do next. I hate standing around gawking with my hands at my sides, but at the same time I knew Annette (who is a nurse) would be trying her best to render aid and may need my help. So I turned on my emergency flashers and went back to the side of the highway where the accident had occurred. By then several people were there, one young woman was on a cell phone talking to the 911 operator while Annette was in the middle of giving CPR. She was declaring the visual vital stats of the victim while another man was trying to breathe air into his lungs. Moments later I could hear sirens in the distance and relief flooded my body, our public servants to the rescue.
Soon the firemen took over, Annette moved back and brushed the mud from her knees. It had been an off and on drizzlin’ rainy afternoon, which may had helped in causing the car to crash. I never looked directly at the young man’s face, he was partially blocked by the man helping Annette give CPR. I didn’t want to hover about like so many other watchers so when the police told us to stand back I did so without hesitation. But I could see he was in bad shape and then I began to feel badly for him, his family and the others who might have loved him. He was laying on that cold, wet ground alone while a group of strangers were trying to save his life.
We left as the scene grew more stable, Annette was matter of fact about the whole thing and I marvelled at her calm through the ordeal. She is usually fairly high strung and reactionary over the slightest irritation or frustration but yesterday I saw her in an entirely new light. Composed, self-assured and in control, traits uncharacteristic of her in other stress related events we have encountered recently. I was proud of her, and though the term seems over used since 9/11 she was definitely a hero by anyone’s standards.
I don’t know if the young man survived, we were into less than 30 minutes of a 3 1/2 hour drive returning home. On lookers and local news will have to tell the story’s finale. Now looking back it almost seemed surreal as we settle into normalcy awaiting the Big C. But we talked about it as we drove home, who knew that young man Annette briefly shook hands with? who loved him, who even knew where he was at the time of his accident? Did he leave somewhere after an argument with his girlfriend? Did he tell someone he loved them that day? Will he ever have that chance again?
I say “life is too short” a lot though it sounds cliche’. Yesterday I realized it again. So if you love someone, tell them and give them a hug. If you are angry at someone, forgive them and move on. If you doubt the reason why you exist, look around you. Even in the face of despair there is hope in the promise of another day of life.
For all it’s commercialism, pagan rituals, and gluttony Christmas really is a time to reflect on what God has given us if for no other reason than that… taking the time to be thankful and acknowledging what we have been blessed with. We all need reminders, I get it now… I hope you do, too.
peace.