As I write this we are getting close to the end of February and I do not know where you live when reading my blog, but here in Alabama the weather is an absolute roller coaster. You know you are in the south when you don’t know if you should have on the heat or the AC. A pair of cargo shorts, flops one day then the next in a parka.
I wanted to share a piece that I wrote for my high school Creative Writing class. This was one of several that I did keep and had aspired to become an author. Little did I know that even over 30 years later I have lived out that dream by writing The Night That Changed Our Lives. I have shared with many of you that I had lost that dream many years ago nor would I suspect that I would be writing about my own tragedy. Now, here I am blogging with you. Who would have thunk it?
How could we know that an unforgettable nightmare was beginning….one that would culminate in many miracles and change lives forever?
How could an accident that almost ended my life become instead a gift that touched and changed lives for months and years to come? Only by God’s incredible grace.
Come along with me or visit my book as I take you on a journey into a frozen night that led by a desire to help, a life threatening fall, and the miracles that follow.
This very short few paragraphs I wanted to share reminds me a lot of an exchange that Pooh and Piglet had: Pooh asked Piglet “what day is it” and a reply from Piglet was simply “It’s today” and my favorite from Pooh on the answer that Piglet gave him was “MY FAVORITE DAY.”
Reflecting
I awoke on an absolute beautiful Saturday morning and found work waiting on me. The past few days were the most exhilarating days we had had and this was the most unusual weather for middle February. The work I was asked to do didn’t see me fighting (not wanting to do it). Dad has been passed away now for over 13 months and with my brother being away in the US Navy, I knew I had to step up and be that man in the family no matter what age I was. I’d work any day of the week if it could be as beautiful as today.
The blue skies, the trees standing tall and proud, and the flowers were trying to sneak through and take advantage of the gorgeous day that we were having. The kids playing; laughing, chasing one another, playing cops and robbers, and riding their bikes made me stop in a daze–glancing and reflecting back to those grand ole days of waking up to the TV set blasting my favorite cartoon. Those were the days. Being a kid all over sure would seem like loads of fun.
Now, as the years have gone by—faster and faster that we want them to, things begin to take their course. I had a hard time getting up that Saturday morning because I am old enough to work for a living (even as a high school teenager). But, it sure didn’t hurt any reflecting to those days of youth.
February 23, 1982
How will you spend these days that God has blessed us with? Will you take full advantage of these? Get up with that fresh outlook on life and thank our good Lord that you have risen to a new day.
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