Question No. 17

I don't remember a time when I realized life is short and to be valued.

Weeks after I turned 5, my father suffered an electrocution accident on a construction job site. It was horrific for my mother, who was pregnant with my brother at the time. They had just moved to a new home, taking on a mortgage and all that is home ownership. Life was good...until the accident, that is.

I don't remember my mother getting the call. I do remember the feeling - total panic. I don't remember seeing Dad at the hospital when he was recovering from arm amputation, skin grafts and multiple surgeries to save his life. I do remember picking him up from the hospital weeks and weeks later. I don't remember all the tears, anxious nights of waiting to hear from doctors or how much time that elapsed, but I do remember staying with my grandparents and feeling protective of my Dad when he came home. I'm still fiercely protective of those who are close to me.

It was shortly after this turn of events that I must have figured out that life is precious and short. It is a lesson I learned early and well. To this day, I do my level best not to take anything or anyone for granted. Oh, I'm sure I do, but having things change suddenly is always a possibility and not far from my attention.

Tragedy will do that to a person.