Did you ever wake up and the first thought that pops into your head is I don’t feel like going to work or school today? So, you call out sick, but really you’re not sick. You’re just sick and tired of going to work or school five days a week, week after week, year after year.

Well, that is how I felt that fateful day. You never know what life-changing event might take place because you made one small change in your daily routine or one bad decision.

I was running along a highway that had very little traffic early in the morning. Occasionally a car would pass me, and the driver of the car would wave at me. I felt invigorated. I was headed toward a curve about a quarter of a mile ahead of me. All of a sudden, I heard what sounded like a large vehicle or truck coming around the curve ahead of me. I didn’t have time to react because, before I knew it, the truck came around the curve and into the wrong lane. There was nowhere for me to move out of the way. The next thing I remember is someone saying,’ hey kid are you alright?” But I couldn’t even summon the strength to answer him. And then the lights went out.

 I remember a bright light shining in my eyes. And I heard a distant voice say,  “can you track the light that I’m shining in your eyes, Thomas? Try to answer me. If you can’t talk, nod your head. It’s time to wake up now. Nod you head, Thomas.”

I tried to nod my head. I was suddenly terrified that I was paralyzed. The thought terrified me, and I started screaming at the top of my lungs. I could feel tears streaming down my cheeks and onto the bed. And then I thought, where am I? Am I at home? No, I must be at a hospital. I couldn’t move my head around to see. I started to cry again. I started yelling, ” I can’t move my head. What’s wrong? Why can’t I move my head or legs?”

“Try to calm down, Thomas. You were hit by an oncoming truck while you were running. That was two days ago. You had to have surgery on both your legs and your right arm. Your legs are in traction, and your arm is in a cast. You are not paralyzed. You will eventually be able to walk again. We will have to take it day by day. You will have to have physical therapy after your legs come out of traction, and your arm is healed. This will all take time. You must try to keep a positive attitude and have faith in yourself that you have the strength and the courage to endure the recovery period. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I understand that my life and my future have changed, and there isn’t anything you can do about it. Will I be able to run again or play basketball or football? Because that is my life?”

” As I said, we have to take one day at a time. We can not predict the future. We have to see how your fractures heal, and you will have to work very hard to regain your strength. Do you think you are up to some visitors? Your parents have been waiting patiently for you to wake up since you were brought by ambulance to the hospital. And there is a whole pack of your football buddies who want to see you. But I think they’ll have to wait a couple more days to talk to you. But I will allow them to peek in your room and say hello. Do you feel you are up to it?”

“Yes, I would like to say hello to my buddies, but I would like to see my mom and dad first. I’m sure my mom is a wreck. She has always been a worrier.”

“Alright, I’ll go into the waiting room and tell them that you are awake and would like to see them. It will take a couple of minutes.”

Thomas was overwhelmed by the circumstances. He was terrified. He couldn’t believe what had happened to him. He couldn’t imagine that his life would ever be the same again. The idea that he would never be able to play sports again and never run shook him to his core.

Thomas’s parents came into his room. He could see that his mother and maybe even his dad had been crying. His mother came over to his bed. And gently put her arms around him. She was extremely careful as if he were made of glass. “Oh, Tommy, my little boy. Oh, I’m so sorry this happened to you. But I’m so grateful that you survived that awful accident. I love you so much.”

“I know, Mom. Thank you for being here for me. I would be lost without you.” And then tears began to roll down his cheeks. And his mother held him as closely as she thought she could without doing any further harm. She was having a difficult time not falling apart into a thousand little pieces. She wished with her whole heart that it was her lying in this bed and not her only child. She wouldn’t have wanted to continue to live if he had died in that terrible accident.

And with that thought, she began crying in earnest. When she was able to calm herself down. She said, ” I will be sitting here by your side until you get out of this hospital. And I will use every ounce of energy in my body to help you recover if it is the last thing I do in this life. I love you so much.”

“I know, Mom. I’ve always known how much you and dad love me. I never doubted it for a minute. I’m so sorry about the accident.”

“Thomas, don’t say another word. In addition, the police have told us that the accident was totally the driver’s fault, and it was a miracle you survived, as did the driver.” And then she hugged him again. “Now, I’m just going to sit in this chair and keep you company until you are released from the hospital. I will not leave you for more than a minute. I promise. And then she pulled the chair next to the chair and sat down next to her dear son. She took a hold of his hand and didn’t let go.

Thomas’s father, who had been standing there without expression, his face pale as a ghost. He stared at his son and then leaned down and hugged him. Something he hadn’t done since he entered kindergarten. And then he shed a tear, and then several more followed. “Oh, Tommy, I don’t know what to say. If I lost you, I couldn’t bear to go on another day. I wouldn’t want to take another breath. I want you to know that you mean more to your mother and me than any car, house, or anything I can think of. Please know that we will always be there for you. We will always love you, no matter what the circumstances are. Our love is unconditional.

Thomas looked at his parents, and then they all started crying. The doctor walked in and stood there silently until he felt he could talk to them. “OK, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, I want you to know that I feel that Thomas will recover his ability to walk. We do not know as of yet if he will be able to continue with his sports career. But my staff and I will do everything in our power to try and make that happen. But please be aware that this will take much time, hard work, and patience. If you ever have a question or need to speak to my staff or me. We will be here for you.

Right now, I think it would benefit Thomas to get some rest. That is what he needs the most at this time. Rest. Later there will be hard work and some pain. But we will try to keep that at a minimum. I would like to examine Thomas right now. And then he should get some sleep. Please contact me with any questions.

“Thank you, doctor, for taking such good care of our son. He means the world to us. We will come back in a little while. My wife would like to sit by his side for the rest of the day after you examine him. If that is alright?”

“Of course, why don’t you two go get something to eat and some coffee? And then, Mrs. Anderson, you can come and stay with your son while he rests. As I said, contact me if you have any questions.”

With that, Tommy’s parents waved at their son and walked silently out of the room. When they walked down the hospital hallway, they were holding each other’s hands.

The doctor checked out Thomas again to make sure everything was as it was supposed to be. He knew the young man had a long road ahead of him. But he also knew he was lucky to be alive and to have such loving parents at his side. Not everyone was that lucky. He believed that this young man would succeed in whatever his future held for him. Only time would tell if he would be able to continue with his athletic career. Only time would tell.

To read more, enter your email address to Subscribe to my Blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.