LIFE IS A GIFT

I never realized how precious life is until I was face-to-face with death. In October of last year, I was involved in a horrible car accident with five other college friends. We were hit by a 12-ton truck on the highway. Everyone except me walked away from the accident – it was an experience I will never forget.

As I lay in the hospital with broken bones, dislocated joints, bruises and lacerations, I did not think things could get much worse. Then, two days later, I broke out with poison ivy and was covered with an itchy rash from head to toe. Without doubt, it was the worst week of my life.

Today, I am still in the process of healing from that tragic day. But I have never appreciated life more. I discovered that life is truly a gift, and I feel blessed to be part of it. I am not sure why it took a car wreck for me to realize this, but I guess God has his own plans for each of us. You never know when your day to leave this Earth will come, but in the meantime you can make the best out of every day. This experience helped me realize the value of living fully.

I also know that there was an angel on my shoulder during and after the accident. Somehow, I survived a tragic event. God gave me another chance at life, and I’m grateful.

— Nathan King, age 20

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist