What if Today was your Last

June 16, 2022

I had a very unsettling thing happen to me today, I drove by a fatal motorcycle accident on my way to work. Not only did I see the accident site, I saw the dead person from just a few feet away. She was a Marine, dressed in fatigues and work boots. She was laid on her back and appeared to be looking up at the sky, although her eyes were closed. She didn’t look like she had a scratch on her, although it was obvious she was gone. She looked so peaceful, but it was hauntingly sad. I tried to put it out of my mind, but I can’t think about anything else today.

The Meaning of Life

I can’t stop thinking about this poor woman and how her life was cut short. I thought about her family and how sad they were going to be when they get the call from police. I wondered if she left children behind who won’t have a mom coming home tonight. I wondered if her Commanding Officer was going to be upset that she didn’t show up for duty. I wondered why she was riding such a fast motorcycle on a busy freeway. But mostly, I was sad this young lady was going to miss what was likely the best part of her life. How cruel that she was robbed of all the beautiful years to come. I don’t even know her or her circumstances, but it seemed viciously unfair to me.

Life is supposed to be a long journey, where years unfold into decades and phases pass in our lives. We get jobs, raise kids and watch them grow into adults we are proud of. Soon, we may have grandkids and retire. That’s the kind of life I’m blessed to have and I cherish every bit of it. When I think back to all of the stupid things I did and all of the crazy chances I took, I’m very lucky to be where I am today. Some people don’t get to live that dream and I’m reminded of it on days like today. It’s painful this guilt I feel for surviving my own stupidity, while others are cut down in the prime of their lives. I will think of this fallen Marine when I watch the sunset tonight and give thanks for my day.

The Bottom Line

Life is short and time is precious. We don’t realize exactly how much so when we are younger, so we often take big risks and tempt fate. Only when the worst happens do we realize what beauty has been lost from our world.