Coffman 2
When I learned why I had the scar, I knew I had to make every second count. Even though I was only two years old, I realized what a precious thing life is. I went along making the most of everything, knowing that at any time it could all be over. Then at ten years old, it nearly was.
My dad and I were taking a little drive to Blades Store. It is about 2 miles of hilly road from our house. In the winter the roads are usually icy, and that’s where my life was held out in front of me for a third time, but this time for me to see. While breaking for a stop sign that was posted at the bottom of a hill, we slid right into the intersection.
Another car was cruising down the road to our right, headed for the intersection at the same time we were. There is a rule in science that says: ‘two objects of matter cannot occupy the same space at the same time.’ I’d say it is accurate for pretty much anything. As the passenger of the car, I was seated on the right. I remember looking out my window as the car was only a few feet from my door, from killing me. A couple seconds sooner, or later, and it might have hit me. That kind of put life in a different perspective for me, anytime could be my time, be ready.
Surprisingly, this was not the last time I almost left this earth. Some people say that the word, “almost,” only works with horseshoes, hand grenades, and halitosis. I say that almost dying means that it was too close to judge, so let it change you.
A couple of years after missing the accident, I was up for a leisurely family weekend at my grandparent’s cabin. They live in a beautiful log home near Brainerd, Minnesota, on the Whitefish chain of lakes with a nice sand beach.
Coffman 3
As always the family gets together for a family reunion. We all help get the boats, lifts, docks, and the raft in the water. This year I helped put out the raft. After a quick and easy process of taking it out and chaining it down, my cousins and I tested it out. Our grandparents have this rule that each year we have to show them that we know how to swim. If we do, then we do not have to wear our life jackets. Since putting the raft in was our first time in the lake, we hadn’t had our little test. That meant we were all supposed to be wearing life jackets, which we weren’t.
The white sugar sand from the beach was all over the blue carpet of the raft, and to wash it off my older cousin started to rock the raft so that water would come up and sweep away the sand. After a few rocks, on the windy day it was, the raft flipped right over, trapping me underneath. The last thing I heard before going under was: “Spencer look out!”
I tried to swim out, but couldn’t. There was an owl on a pole that was used to keep away the sea gulls; I hit my head on it. Hard. Now in a panic, I swam out in the other direction. All I can say is, it’s a good thing I didn’t have a life jacket on. If I had been wearing one, it would have been pretty difficult to swim out from underneath the raft, considering that I had to swim under water to get out.
Through these experiences, I have learned a couple of things. Why I had to have so many I don’t know. Maybe it was just to make the story better, or to really prove the point? Whatever the reason, I learned from each of them.
Just as I said before, I learned that I need to make the most of the time that I have left, and that I could die at any time, so I need to know that and be ready. In order to do those things I must always be thinking about what they mean.
Coffman 4
Making the most of the time I have left means that I make everything count for something. Everything done must have a reason. If it’s a mistake, then instead of getting mad about it, I try to see what I can learn from it and how to prevent it in the future. It is said; ‘that one who does not remember his past is bound to repeat it’. I believe that that statement is true. If you don’t remember the mistakes you’ve made, and how to avoid them then you have a good chance of making those same mistakes again. If I have a success I remember it. I also see what can be improved so that I can go further. I don’t want to just stop there, I want to keep going. Several millionaires have said that making that first million is like trying to fly without an airplane and after that it’s like flying a kite. So after that first success, everything that’s done to get you to the next step is easier than getting to the first.
Knowing that I could die at any time, and being ready for that time, means that I must keep going like there is no tomorrow. I have to try not to assume that I will be doing anything tomorrow, because there might not be one. That doesn’t mean I don’t make plans, it means that I live one day at a time, and take each day as it comes. Don’t worry about what comes next, instead focus on what is happening now. It is not always easy, but I just keep telling myself that everything will work out no matter what.
By knowing that I need to make the most of the time that I heve left and that I could die at any time, I can honestly say that I am not worried about death, or scared to die. I know that death must come for everyone, some sooner than others, and there is no getting around it. No matter how many times you come close, and almost die, there will be a time where almost just won’t cut it.
