Live Life With No Regrets

I just observed the 1 year anniversary of getting hit by a car, being knocked un- conscious, getting busted up and learning to understand what is important in life.  On September 7, 2009, my loving wife and I were heading home after spending the long holiday weekend having some motorcycling fun.  I feel very blessed to have a wife that enjoys my hobby of motorcycling almost as much as I do.  We communicate continuously while riding by means of the CB radio.  Both our bikes are equipped with the device so that we can alert each other of up coming turns, traffic hazards or the scenery we are witnessing.  I know that it has been said over and over again in many ways that you can never tell the special people in your life that you love them enough.  My wife is a great believer in this.  It is not uncommon for her to break the silence while we are riding with those three simple words, "I love you."  The morning of my accident I can say with no uncertainty that those were the last words I heard that day. 

The two of us with our rides

I did not know what happened, life just stopped.  One minute we are riding home, next thing I know I'm waking up in an ICU two days later.
You know, you always see people that have just had a tragedy or have had a great misfortune befall a loved one and one of the first things they do is start trying to make a deal with God.  You know what I mean, "Oh God just let this happen or let that happen and I promise this or that."  When I came to in that hospital, it didn't even cross my mind.  I was comfortable with myself.  Sure I had things that I wanted to do, things that I may not ever get to do but I can honestly say I really had no life altering regrets.  I was content that I had lived my life as a good person, I knew that I was a Christian, and I knew that my family had the knowledge that I loved each and every one and did my best as a father, a husband, a son and a brother.  I did not know just how severe my injuries were.  I did not know if I was going to live or die.  I did not know what had happened or where I was.  I did know that I was happy with my life and no "deal" was needed. 

Ugly camper, Happy campers

Some years back, when I was having to travel to support my wife and two sons I made myself a promise.  I swore that before I left this world I would take a vacation with each of my sons.  I would spend some time just having fun and talking and doing guy stuff with them.  I didn't spend as much time with them as I would have liked while they were growing up, pretty much the same excuse that most anyone uses, not enough time, had to work, had to put food on the table, etc.  The time I did spend with my wife and kids was good quality time.  We went places together, we had fun together.  My sons and wife knew I loved them.  I didn't say it enough but they knew it.  I kept that promise to myself.  In August of 2007 my oldest son and I spent a week motorcycling in the Great Smokey Mountains.  We had the ugliest camp rig in the grounds but we didn't care, we had a BLAST!


Camping in Branson

 In the summer of 2008, I was able to spend a week with my youngest son in the Ozarks, you guessed it, motorcycling.  We had a BLAST as well.  I got to spend this vacation with my wife and his new bride as well.  We rode, we went to some shows, we drank some beers and we had fun. 

Yes, there are things that I would have missed had things turned out different, things like seeing my new grandson, born pretty much the same time and date as my accident, Seeing my daughter -in-law get into nursing school, meeting our new pet, Dozer and many other things that I just used to take for granite.  This accident was a real bump in my road, it could have been a dead end street, or it could have made my life an uphill climb.  With the help of my family and my very special friends, Tom and Leighann,  I came through it, I experienced real love and I learned to value each day.
I urge you all, don't take today for granite, we all only have right now, the next minute is never guaranteed, make sure you have no regrets, no I'm sorries that haven't been said, make sure you tell those dear to you that you love them.

Sometimes Puppies Know More Than We Know

Some may find this a bit unusual for a first post in a blog but it's my blog and I will be unusual, so you just as well get used to it.  I was never really a fan of small dogs until I inherited a Pug by the name of Buddy from my son and daughter in law while he was in the Navy.  I had made my mind up that this small animal could serve no real purpose and that he would just be an annoyance to be tolerated.  This little guy obviously did not share my ideas.  From day one he did everything he could do to become my Friend.  Not just a friend but he wanted to be my best friend.  Now I had two things that I was not used to, a small dog and a friend.  You see, I am not a real friendly guy.  I select those that I choose to get close to and there just aren't that many people that can tolerate me. 
This little guy would not give up and soon did become a very close friend.  I guess he knew that deep down I was just an old softie and he lovingly worked his way into my heart.  When I had my accident (there will be more on this in later editions) Buddy would not leave my bed ridden side.  He stayed and watched over my every move.  He and I were very close. 
Buddy lived to be almost 12 years old.  He lived a very pampered life and I made sure that he had everything he needed.  There were many times Buddy would see a doctor and get regular checkups and I would not, simply because there wasn't enough money for the both of us to see a doctor.  Buddy passed on one night recently.  I got home from work and could tell that he was not going to make it through the night.  I carried him to his bed, right next to me, and gently laid him down.  He looked up at me as I stroked his fur with a look that seemed to say, "thanks for the fun and the life we had, it is time for me to go, goodbye, my friend".  He closed his eyes and went peacefully to his rewards. 

That dog seemed to know that this old man needed a friend.  Not just any friend but one that would stick by him during all times.  There are not many people that I let get close to me, but there are a few that I am glad to call my friend because they will be there in times of need as well as in times of plenty.  I hold those few dear to my heart and I am sure that they know that I am there for them in the good times as well as the bad.