6/22: PERSPECTIVE
I generally share information that is pretty personal and heartfelt in this message, but even at that, this one goes further. There is a very powerful scene from the movie City Slickers where the 3 friends are asking each other what their best and worst day of their lives was. What always stuck with me was when Bruno Kirby’s character described his best day as the day he stood up to his father who was cheating on his mom, and his dad left and never came back. When they asked him what his worst day was, he said, “Same day”. When I went back and watched the scene again before writing this, I forgot about Billy Crystal’s line. He said his worst day was when his wife found a lump in her breast. It turned about to be nothing but he said it was the worst day ever. Bruno replied, “But that was a good day, because it turned out to be nothing.” Billy said it was the worst day up to that point, at which Bruno countered that it ultimately turned out to be a great day, though. I could not think of anything that more clearly defines my day on Tuesday, 6/9/26.
Yes, I talked about this last week as well, but as this has become one of the most defining moments of my entire life, I think devoting a little more time to it is appropriate. For those that were not aware, two Tuesday’s ago, after ignoring issues in our Trailblazer that I knew were there, the right tie rod snapped as I turned to get on the entrance ramp to the Southfield freeway. When this happens, that wheel will turn inwards immediately. As I was going maybe 15 miles per hour, I simply skidded to a stop. Had I been going 70 mph on the highway, as is 90% of my drive, I truly don’t believe I would still be here.
For the week that followed, the gravity of what could have, maybe should have occurred weighed on me like nothing before. It was impossible to not let my brain go to the fact that my wife was driving that car around occasionally for the last month, and it was my son’s daily driver for months after the initial damage occurred that I ignored. As I sat in the car waiting for the tow truck to arrive, my thoughts were in a very dark place. After my daughter picked me up from the repair shop, we wound up driving straight into one of the brightest rainbows I have ever seen. No doubt it was a message from God telling me it would all be OK.
I have always believed, and have long since known, that I have had a guardian angel looking over me on the roads my entire life. If I listed all the situations I have been spared, this would go on another 2-3 pages. Of everything that could have happened to me on that day, the absolute least amount of potential damage is what occurred. Just like Billy Crystal, it was the absolute worst day…..up to that point. But the reality is, it was the very best day of my life because God spared me and my family from my own stupidity.
When I was younger, I used to be a whiner. When bad things happened, I would always cry, “Why me?”. It is such an insult to the God that created me because my life has been so blessed. When bad things happen, I look at it now as, why NOT me? I’ve really had it pretty damn good so why shouldn’t I have challenges thrown at me?
On Tuesday, 6/9/26, however, I did have to go back asking, “Why me?”, but with the script flipped. Why was I so lucky to be saved? I have told God many times, I want Him to use my body and mind as thoroughly and completely as He can until I take my last breath. I don’t want anything left in tank, confident that I lived as full a life as I possibly could for Him. Obviously, He has more for me to do, and I feel I am more ready now than ever to do whatever He wills me to do. Like Bruno Kirby’s character, Tuesday, 6/9/26 was truly the best and worst day of my life. My life was literally reset that day, and more than ever I realize that every day is truly a gift.
What is your best and worst day? How have those days shaped you? At a minimum, I hope MY best and worst day has shown you to check your damn vehicle suspension if you slide into a curb in winter! OY!
