Life, and how precious it really is

I believe everyone should live their day like it could be their last. After many occurrences that have happened in my life, I have gained much acknowledgement for life itself. Many times it takes an eye opening experience to realize this, but everybody should give it a thought. Nobody should take life for granted because no matter how invincible one thinks they are, an accident can happen at any time. Life can change in a matter of seconds.

It was another normal summer day in the eighth grade when I woke up and called my best friend Jake to meet up with me on his moped. Every day that summer our lives consisted of riding these motor scooters around many different neighborhoods for hours and hours. With the wind blowing in our face we would take each and every turn at dangerous speeds. It was the most fun ever and no one ever legitimately gave the consequences a thought. On this sunny summer day, my friend was not answering his phone. Over and over again I called and still no answer. About two hours later the call that I never wanted to hear was returned. It was his aunt, at the hospital. The information that I received was that Jake was in the hospital in a coma. My heart sank and my jaw dropped. On Jakes’ way to come meet up with me he had an accident. He had gone around a blind corner and ran directly into a pickup truck. His unbuckled helmet flew off of his head and he came to a rest under the truck. Someone outside immediately called 911 and used Jakes’ cell phone to contact his mother. Jake had a blood clot in his brain and had to immediately undergo brain surgery with a chance of not surviving. I have never had more of an empty feeling in my life. A feeling of helplessness, not knowing what to do, speechless. I thought I would never see my best friend again. Luckily the operation was successful and he came out of the coma within a matter of days.

This terrible feeling of helplessness and being speechless taught me to speak up to friends and loved ones. Whatever the circumstance may be, inform them of the consequences so that they are aware and careful. Many times one hears a terrible story about someone and thinks yes, that’s bad but that would never happen to me. Wrong, one second life can be perfect and the next something can happen that can change things forever. Have fun and live life in a wonderful manner that you would never regret. Speaking up about the consequences of a dangerous situation could end up saving a life.