Lessons From When I Almost Died 22-Years Ago
Hello my Hope-Full Friend,
On February 11, 2001 my husband and I were driving along a California freeway on our way to the airport. We had just come around a bend in the freeway when I noticed the car in front of us was getting closer to us really quickly, even though there weren’t any brake lights.
We crashed before we could really process what was happening.
The force of the impact broke my right collarbone and punctured my lung, bruised my heart and liver and caused blood to pool around my inner organs.
I remember struggling to breathe after the accident. My vision was starting to fade to black around the edges and I was panicking.
At that moment I remember saying a prayer that I would be able remain conscious. The idea of passing out scared me.
Miraculously, I remained awake the whole time.
When the paramedics arrived they couldn’t even find my pulse, but I was alive, so we had a chuckle about that.
Later, while at the hospital, one of our friends visited. He happened to be a firefighter and EMT. After hearing our story he looked at us and commented, “You shouldn’t be here.” He told us he had pulled people out of far less severe accidents dead.
To this day, his statement haunts me a little. I probably should have died, but I didn’t. Why? I don’t have the answer, but perhaps it is because God knew it wasn’t my time to go yet.
Since that day, I feel like God gave me a gift—a second chance on life. A chance to raise my two boys I already had and give birth to two more wonderful children. A chance to learn some of the most heart-wrenching lessons and share them with you.
I still don’t know the reason why I’m alive but every year on February 11th I celebrate life.
Life is a gift.
Sure, it swings like a pendulum from hard and challenging to joyful and full of love. But I am thankful for life.
I am thankful for 22 more years of struggle and growth. I have learned so much!
Here are some resources for finding joy in life:
Here is one of the tips that helped me through a week and a half stay at the hospital right after the car accident. Gratitude After a Car Accident.
I am continually reminded to find joy in simple things by my sweet son with low-functioning autism, Nathan. Here I share how he reminded me to find joy in seeing himself in a mirror, playing with a balloon and enjoying the waves at the beach. We can find joy in such simple things if we take a moment to pause and look around us.
A few years ago I wrote the blog post, 3 Lessons on Happiness, Wisdom and Aging. I learned a great lesson on being joyful from a sweet elderly woman I worked with years ago who experienced a great trauma was so very happy. There is some wisdom that comes through experience and it is a blessing to grow old.
So, whether you are stuck in a hospital bed, at home, at work or in a traffic jam—pause and reflect on the simple joys of life today. Say three things you are thankful for out loud before you fall asleep tonight.
Feel joy—for at least a moment.
"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 15:13)
When we feel God’s Spirit, we can feel joy. So, connect with God with gratitude for another day of life—even though it may be hard. Find moments of joy.
Hope on!
Tamara