The best and worst things in life are unexpected. Experience hasshown me that it's better to not know things sometimes. In the past20 years, I have experienced what I think to be the best and theworst of things, and it's always one extreme or the other. Lookingback, I remember all of the spectacular times in my life, but arecurring theme has always been misfortune. And when it rains, itpours.
The first few weeks of college were rough for me. My classeswere tough and I had bitten off way more than I could chew. I wasstressed out and constantly complaining about how difficult my lifewas. I was getting annoyed with college drama and my overwhelmingschedule. Little did I know how minuscule my problems actuallywere.
Everything was put into perspective for me when a friend of minewas in a horrific car accident that left me and everyone who knewhim frantically holding our breath.
In a split second his life had changed; his joy ride hadtransformed into one of the most critical points in his life. Anambulance transported his body, and left nothing at the sceneexcept rubber skid marks and a mangled pile of car parts.
Suddenly it didn't matter that I had scuffles with my roommateor exams to study for. I was ashamed of myself for having made myproblems the center of my existence. I didn't appreciate my lifefor what it was until Jeremy's wreck opened my eyes. All too oftenthings are taken for granted, and like most things in life, wedon't recognize them until it's too late.
Jeremy was induced into a coma to help begin the healingprocess, and it put everyone into a panic. His comatose statelasted almost a month, but not a day went by that I didn't thinkabout him. I went about my daily routine of classes and meetingswhile he spent day after day in a dark, cold hospital room fightingfor his life.
His body was motionless, but his heart was filled withdetermination. Even in Jeremy's weak state, his will to live kepthim strong.
Out of all the pain and worry sprouted somewhat of a miracle: hewoke up. Jeremy made it clear that he wasn't going to lose thebattle. He was bouncing back from his traumatizing experience andcoming out on top.
He was constantly surrounded by loved ones, especially hisparents. They showed more love and devotion than I have ever seenin people. Maybe that was the lesson to learn in all of this.
When I was finally allowed to see him, I couldn't believe howwell he looked. I had heard stories about the accident, and itretells itself in my head over and over. He looked so animated, andhe smiled when he realized he had visitors. I don't think herecognized me, but between the medicine and the affects of theaccident, that's to be expected. I was just thanking God that hewas alive.
He has been working with physical therapists to rebuild hismental capabilities as well as strengthen the muscles and tissuesthat were damaged in the accident. He is doing better than hisdoctors had predicted, and he has astonished all of us with hisprogress.
He is coming home this weekend, but will continue to attendphysical therapy sessions five times a week, possibly for the nexttwo years.
Soon his restricted movements and sore body parts will all cometogether and he can just be himself again. Who knew? I am myselfeveryday, and after seeing what Jeremy has gone through, it almostmakes me feel guilty.
Not only did Jeremy's accident catch me off guard, but it wasimpossible to prepare for. It's just one of life's tests, one ofthe unexpected, unimaginable, sometimes unfathomable, tests.
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