Monday, Oct 15, 2007 5:13AM / Members only
James and I almost died the other day. I exaggerate not.
We were on our way to meet some friends in the city Friday night, when,
as we neared the toll booth for the Bay Bridge intending to go straight
through on the Fastrack lane, the car in the next lane suddenly decided
to switch into our lane. James slammed on the brakes, but given how
fast we were going and how close we were to the toll plaza, there was
no way.
Your life does not flash before your eyes. It's a lie. It's not even
fear, but helplessness. For approximately 3-5 seconds as we neared the
car, your mind freezes and your body, I suppose, somehow instinctually
braces you for the impact.
Bam!
Bastards. Learn to drive.
The airbags popped out, and the car is smoky. The front of James' car
is...totaled. Me and James sat there for a few seconds, bewildered,
amazed, speechless.
"You okay?" James asks me. I nod. The area on my spine below my neck
is hurting. Whiplash. I hoped it was nothing serious (it wasn't,
because when I went to the hospital to get x-rayed yesterday, they
wanted to use my spine as a model).
We. Could. Have. Died. Thank god for seatbelts and airbags.
Bastards. We almost crashed into them a second time afterwards, too. They didn't even apologize. Fools.
So lucky to be alive. It's strange; I've heard of people getting into
accidents before, and it sounds so cliche to say that having a
near-death experience makes one reevaluate things...but obviously, it
does.
Experiencing life. Hah.
So. Some general reflections post-accident:
1. I am lucky to be alive. Me and James both. There were so many
factors that night that, had something been a little bit different, we
might have ended up...very differently. How we all survived and are in
one piece, with no injuries, not even a scratch, amazes me.
2. Life is really too short. We all think that we are invincible, or
that nothing will happen, but it's not true. Things can happen, and
they do. So live life, stop planning so damn much, and try to enjoy
what's in front of you. Have no regrets. Seek out the things and
people you care about, and don't dwell on the trivial things. Think
big picture.
3. When things are well in life, be extra cautious. Don't let your guard down.
My friends: be safe, live life, and love each other. I appreciate you all.
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