It’s been a good evening, by all counts. A wonderful dinner party held at the home of the husband and wife that owned the store I worked at while attending college. The couple’s business is growing and we’re celebrating the opening of their 2nd location. Good food, good drink and good company. What could go wrong?

I leave their home, located near Coonskin Park, around 11:15pm and head for home. Didn’t make it. As I merge onto Greenbrier Street, heading towards the state Capitol, a car is coming off the airport hill going the same direction. I’m on the inside lane, “he” is on the outside lane. He doesn’t see me and cuts into my lane. My only option is to cut it hard to the left. The last thing I remember is hitting the speed bump sized median and flying through the air in my little red Ford Escort. I end up completely across the two lanes that come down Greenbrier Street in a ditch. I’ve hit my head against the windshield and have a concussion and am in shock. I guess(truly, a guess) that self preservation kicks in and I try crawling for help. Yep, I’m on all fours crawling into traffic at 11:30 on a foggy Saturday night. I make it across the northbound lanes and into the southbound lanes.

A guy is taking his girlfriend home when he sees something in the road. He thinks he sees a plastic garbage bag(this is what we were told) and hits me, while I’m on hands and knees, and drags me approximately 40 yards. His girlfriend hears me screaming and he stops. It takes airbags to prop up the rear of his truck so the paramedic as and emergency workers can get me out.

I wake up on Monday afternoon to see the face of my mom looking at her son. My left leg is in traction, my right leg has stainless steel rods coming out of it. I have a bandage around my head and my left hand. What the heck has happened to me? Well, here’s the rundown of injuries: dislocated left hip; right leg snapped in half, just above the ankle; right ear nearly taken off and left hanging by the lobe; my back and left hand look like raw hamburger.

I went from being a college athlete to learning to walk again. I went from being a partying, typical college kid, who was a poor student and thought I was in school to be an athlete and have a good time, to being a model student. Oh, and I gave my life to Christ. HE saved me.

I didn’t “deserve” it. None of us “deserve” it, but He is there. He had other plans for me. Other uses for my life. I believe I am living out some of those “other uses” today. I have no idea what future uses He has for me. Not for me to figure out. Just be willing to serve. Serve Him. Serve others. love others.

So, there you have it. Many of you have heard some or all of this story before. Some of you have never heard and I am sorry for the shock of it all. To a day is a special day for me: the 40th anniversary of God giving me a 2nd chance. I am doing my best to make the most of this 2nd chance. this do-over. I’m giving it all I have. I love you.

Be w