Last week I was going to share a post on gratitude.
And then I almost got hit by a car.
I was at my in-laws in an area I have taken hundreds of walks/runs over the last 20 years and on Thanksgiving day I was out walking before we had a big meal and a car with a teen driving an SUV was not paying attention and was going way too fast down a usually empty street. Within seconds, I realized she was coming right for me.
I did the only thing I could do — I jumped into the ravine.
I could see the terror in her eyes of what almost happened.
She did not stop. She drove on.
Life is precious and it can change in seconds.
If I did not have the instinct to look up at that moment, I may not be here writing this today.
I never posted that blog on gratitude as my mind was a bit jumbled after that near-death experience.
It immediately put a lot of things in perspective — the things in life that are often on autopilot. You know, the spouse that always cooks dinner, or does the laundry, cleaning, errands, and plans life out. The friend that is always there exactly when you need them. Or the sibling that will drop anything for you. Maybe it is a parent that would do likewise.
But we never know how much time we have (or those we love have) on this planet, and while I love how the holidays remind us of gratitude and giving, maybe we all need to see how we can slow down and cherish the life we have right in front of us — ALL the time, not just during the holidays.
Take a moment and “see” your loved ones. Give them a hug, and see where you might be on autopilot.
