After I was hit by one of three cars racing about a week ago, the trooper called. He said he had no idea how I am still alive. He said it was the most violent thing he'd seen on video happening to a car in his 24 year career, across over 1000 accidents. Here's what's on my mind.
1) you may only live to 35, so don't delay gratification. dad always said "you have to play as you go".
2) a breath past this point is icing on the cake. a time my kids do something that makes me laugh. the way my wife feels in my arms. it's all the encore.
3) 1% of me is not sure that I didn't die, and that this is not the other side. You don't get out of a car that flipped 5 times (2-3 end over end) and be sure that it isn't the other side. My beautiful family, the good samaritans pulling me out, the church leaders in the ER. Isn't that heaven? Life is beautiful, and life on the other side will be too, if we're not already there.
4) Be prepared to help--have supplies. Like the good samaritan who tended to us said later "two is one, and one is none". And "If you see something, do something". Don't drive away from the bodies you expect are in a car. They still have a chance if you give it to them.
5) connect with people--the cashier, the person fixing your stove, your neighbor--but most importantly your kids and wife, every day. show them you care . slow down, stay there. Stay where they are. Ask and listen. Cuddle the kids, hold your wife. Just cuddle, just hold.