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None the less, it still hurts...
There is a difference between getting hit by a car and being run over by a car. None the less, it still hurts. On November 18, 2009 I was struck by a car while crossing the street in Naples, Italy. As I type this one handed, I am on the mend and thankful to be alive.
For those of you who haven’t heard about it, here is a play by play:
I enjoyed pizza at my favorite place, Gino Sorbillo.
Took a walk through various neighborhoods taking in the sites.
Began to cross a major street using the crosswalk (zebra as they call it).
I was distracted and looking to the right. I began to turn my head to the left, but my body had already decided it was okay to move forward.
BAM! I was struck by the car, a large VW sedan (I have no clue the model, but if I hadn’t rode in it back to the ship, I would have sworn it was a small white truck and not a dark sedan.)
I felt the impact. I spun and struck the vehicle at least two more time as I spun forward with the momentum of the car.
I landed 30 feet away from the crosswalk and up on the median. Luckily I did not get thrown in front of any other moving vehicles.
Many people came to stare at me, but a few jumped in to help, including the driver who hit me. He spoke perfect English. He called the police and ambulance.
When ambulance arrived, he discouraged me from going with it and to return to the ship as the associated hospital was terrible.
Ambulance wrapped my bleeding wound on my arm.
Police released us.
I rode back to the ship with the driver who hit me. The right mirror, which protruded about 8-9 inches (or so I think…remember guys and inches aren’t always accurate), was destroyed and hanging down on the side of the car.
I walked myself onboard and to the ship’s hospital.
You have probably heard of an adrenaline rush – well, I was definitely having one at the time. I probably had a big goofy smile on my face as I kept thinking of what the alternative would be…flying home in a box. I definitely had a guardian angel looking out for me as it was not my time to go.
Dr. Pieter and Nurse Eubee took great care of me and assessed my condition. When it was discovered that I had an open wound over my broken bone, it was decided that I would be signed off the ship for medical reasons for surgery. I was sent to the hospital via ambulance where the doctor, without any care or concern, sewed up my wound without any anesthetic (I now know what Rambo felt when he sewed himself up), shook my broken arm to convince me it was a minor problem, wrapped it, and sent me back to the ship. The next day an orthopedic doctor checked me over while in Civitavecchia, Italy and deemed me fit for duty since all I had to do was think and type.
Overall, like I said, I was very lucky. I never hit my head when landing, nor was I thrown into the path of other traffic. My injuries included:
* A broken left arm with an open wound (most likely both caused by the impact with the right side mirror on the car).
* Lacerations to the stomach (minor).
* Bruising to the left “love handle”. (Luckily no damage to my spleen or kidney...the left arm provided the necessary protection - not to mention the love handle itself.)
* Gash to left knee.
* Road rash to lower right leg.
* Mangled right foot (twisted, turned, everything pulled – but not broken.) My ankle grew to the size of a small melon, requiring crutch assistance the first week.
* Lots of bruising and soreness, appearing at different times in unexpected places.
Contrary to some reports, I was never hooked up to machines and struggling for life. I was, for a time, hooked up to an oxygen machine. This was because I had finally figured out what was going on and went into shock while in the ship’s hospital.
I want to thank everyone for your prayers and concern during this event. I am certain that I have rapidly mended thanks to all of you. While I would have loved to come home for the recovery, I cannot imagine traveling in the condition I was in. I was back at work the same evening as the accident. I took things slow and everyone bestowed me with kindness. One co-worker actually had to cut my shirt off of me. Talk about people caring enough to set aside any reservations they may have! A special thank you to project team members Stefan, Oscar, and Omar who not only insisted, but DEMANDED that I do everything possible to heal. I am also deeply grateful to Project Manager Katie who flew to the ship four days early in order to assist while I was in the early days of my recovery.
I have been asked if the accident haunts me. No, it doesn’t haunt me, but it does serve as a reminder to me. Life is unpredictable and anything can happen at a moment's notice. We must all be prepared. Live Life. Love Life. Experience Life.
After the above accident, I began to wonder, "If I was given a choice, would I want to know I was about to die, or would I rather it be something that happened without a moment's notice?" I know it is a bit morbid, but as I think about my time lying there waiting for help, I think about how lucky I was to know that I would be okay. I can't imagine lying there knowing I was about to take my last breath. Would I even know I was going to die?
I think most of all, I wondered if my life would have a happy ending. I don't think of a traditional happy ending like in a fairy tale, but more of a happy life overall. After pondering this for a few weeks, I have come to the conclusion that I live my happy ending every day. Along with my immediate family, I now have a family that in itself, is larger than life, made up of people who care greatly for me and I for them. I don't have children, but I have been blessed with four fantastic nephews and have many friends that have blessed my life with their children as well. I have traveled to the far corners of the world, but have chosen to remain close to my family and make my home near them, a home that has been filled with love before I ever stepped foot in it, thanks to Mom, Susan, and Troyce.
You see, we all must live our lives as though we will or will not know when it will end, ensuring that no matter what, our lives will have a happy ending.
The creak of an old screen door.
Fields of wild sunflowers.
Susan's meatloaf with bacon on top!
The smell of new book (Kindle not included!)
Grasshoppers during a hot summer day, looking like popcorn as you walk through them.
The scents of a cold, crisp winter day.
$1.34 per gallon gasoline.
Dirty Vodka Martinis with blue cheese stuffed olives.
The majestic beauty of Alaska.
Quality service that isn't an accident but rather the norm.
Pike Place Market - Seattle
Staying up late accidentally 'cause the book I'm reading is just too good to put down.
Black Eye Pea Stew (Thanks Amy!) See below for recipe
Spring time tulips.
Summer time gerber daisies.
Fall foliage.
Evergreen trees in the winter (especially when they are dusted with snow).
Happy hour at Sonic Drive in and a Route 44 Diet Dr. Pepper. (Don't forget to tip your car hop!)
Homemade caramel popcorn. Thanks Troyce!
Oreos and Orange Juice. (Don't knock it till you try it!)
What is the opposite of green? This a question that takes much thought and consideration.
Is the opposite of green blue? The blue skies lie opposite the green grass and trees. Is the opposite of green brown? During winter, the green grass turns brown when the cold weather arrives. Is the opposite of green wasteful? Everyone seems to be going green to save the world's resources.
What is the opposite of green? I am not sure, so I would love to hear your thoughts on the question.
Here are some quotes that I like and I think they are worth sharing...
"The past is a guide post, not a hitching post."
-source unknown
"Even when you win the rat race, you're still a rat."
-Bon Jovi
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon looses both."
-Dwight D. Eisenhower during his first inaugural address
"Memory lane is closed."
-from the movie Sweet Home Alabama
"Every day when you get up, you have to decide whether you're going to be a Tigger or an Eeyore."
and
"Everyone has issues. Some people have subscriptions."
-Jason Heronemous
"We all create fictions to hide our pain."
-from The Lazarus Project
"With the right attitude, human beings can move mountains. With the wrong attitude, they can be crushed by the smallest grain of sand."
-Jim Rohn
“Be not careless in deeds, nor confused in words, nor rambling in thought.”
-Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Roman Emperor and Philosopher
"The best index to a person's character is (a) how he treats people who can't do him any good and (b) how he treats people who can't fight back."
-Abigail Van Buren (Dear Abby)
"I'm not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information."
-Bill Watterston
"During the pursuit of what you want in one area of your life, be careful what you sacrifice in other areas. Be aware of the price you must pay to
achieve the prize you seek. Some prizes might cost too much."
-Darren Hardy
"The major problem of life is learning how to handle the costly interruptions. The door that slams shut, the plan that got sidetracked, the marriage that failed.
Or that lovely poem that didn't get written because someone knocked on the door."
-Martin Luther King Jr.
"To tend, unfailingly, unflinchingly, towards a goal, is the secret to success."
-Anna Pavlova (Russian Ballerina)
"Quotation, n: The act of repeating erroneously the words of another."
-Ambrose Bierce
Continuing the tradition started over 10 years ago.
- Show compassion towards others.
- No matter what you may be going through, there is someone out there who is going through something much worse.
- Talk to your parents when challenges arise. They have a wealth of life experience and will be able to lend an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, or be a sounding board as you find a solution.
- You can be an adult and still have fun. You just have to make wise choices.
- Treat everyone with respect, even those whom you don't think can advance your cause.
- It doesn't matter your age. Be proactive in developing a strong work ethic now.
- Enjoy a day outside as often as possible. Exploit the days filled with sun, rain, snow, or wind. Fill your senses with all that mother nature has to offer.
- Discover the fun you can have at a park. Take your friends there for lunch on a whim. You'll be amazed at how much fun you can have, especially if your bring a Frisbee, football, soccer ball, or book. Still in school? Do your homework at the park.
- Texting, email, twitter, facebook...they are all ok, but take the time to write a letter or postcard every now and then. Then drop it in the mail to me (hint hint).
- Become passionate about something important to you. Maybe a sport, a musical instrument, a hobby, or a cause. Passion fuels life.
- It's not always whether you win or lose that's important. Sometimes its just important to actually finish. You may not win a blue ribbon or a cool trophy, but the satisfaction of finishing will last longer than any prize you may win.
- You are not entitled to anything. You work for what you get.
- Observations are okay. Judgements are not.
- Once it's tweeted, it can never truly be deleted. Careful what you put on the internet.
Totally useless, and sometimes interesting, information.
** There are 21 colors of M&M's: black; blue; light blue; dark blue; brown; cream; gold; gray; green; aqua green; teal green; dark green; maroon; orange; pink; dark pink; purple; light purple; red; white; and yellow.
** Mind your p's and q's has nothing to do with manners. Hundreds of years ago, the English would often times run up bar tabs. With that in mind, the bartender would keep track of the pints (p's) and
quarts (q's) consumed by patrons. If the bill got too high, the bartender would tell the patron "Mind your p's and q's." In other words, "Pay up!"
** The difference between party cloudy and partly sunny is based on a specific formula taking into account the percentage of the sky with clouds. However, in most instances, it depends on the weatherman's disposition.
** A Texas cold front is called a Blue Norther or Blue Whistler.
** A dry, warm, westerly wind from the Rockies is called a Chinook.
** The blue color in glacier ice is often wrongly attributed to Rayleigh scattering. Rather, ice is blue for the same reason water is blue: it is a result of an overtone of an oxygen-hydrogen (O-H) bond stretch in water which absorbs light at the red end of the visible spectrum.
Here's the recipe for that great stew that makes me smile. Thanks again Amy - I appreciate you sharing this with us.
Ingredients
1 pound pork sausage (plain or mild or hot - your choice)
1 pound ground beef
1 large onion
4 cups water
3 15 oz. cans black eyed peas (no jalapeños)
1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 can Rotel
1 tsp. Worstershire
1 tsp. garlic salt
1 can chopped green chilies
4 tsp. molasses (or brown sugar)
4 beef bouillon cubes
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
Brown beef, sausage and onion together and then drain. Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, and then reduce for 45 minutes.
Serve with Fritos, cheese, and avocados.
Please Note: The following selection was written two months prior to my accident in Naples.
It wasn't a nightmare as some of you might think. Instead, it was a thought provoking experience. What, exactly, would be said of me, my life, and what I left behind as I passed on from this world?
It amazed me that it wasn't the number of people at my funeral that concerned me. My biggest concern was the words that would be spoken. What could anyone say about the life I had lived? In my dream, I knew I was dying and I was actively involved in planning the service. It was a bit surreal as I was planning this event at Granny and Granddad's house in Hereford, sitting on the sofa in their den. Family was around me, and so were friends-both from near and far and some who are no longer with us.
The challenge, as I said, was the words that would be spoken. Unfortunately, my dream gave me no guidance, but it did get me to thinking. As Mitch Albom describes in his book "Have a Little Faith," I do not want to die a second death. I don't want to be forgotten.
This, my friends, is a difficult task when I leave no one behind to carry on any legacy. I have four spectacular nephews, but I have to wonder, will they remember me? If so, will they pass on any words to their children about their Uncle Scott (the uncle they never called uncle?) Are there any of my friend's children that I have made an impression on? If so, how long will they remember me after I am gone? And its not really me I want them to remember, I want them to remember my spirit and the good things I have done in my life.
So, with these questions in my mind, I decided to search deep within for my legacy. The Scott I will leave behind. The spirit of my life lived here amongst great friends and family. The spirit of my life lived around the world. The spirit of my life as a son, a brother, an uncle, a friend…
My life as a musician was once a great hope of mine. Unfortunately, I lacked one quality that is required to be a true musician. Passion. Yes, I wanted the spotlight and the center stage, sitting at a grand piano in front of hundreds, if not thousands, of people. I attempted, but failed, though I had great fun along the way. The defining point in my quest to become a pianist was my decision to perform my senior recital with sheet music, instead of with the passion that comes from numbers performed from the heart. It was then I knew I would not become the concert pianist I had dreamed of.
I ventured off to college and my quest to become an accountant. Hey, believe it or not, you have to have passion to be an accountant - something I found to be a bit tedious. Besides, not having passion as I made my way through high school resulted in a college student with no ability to study, learn, and retain.
At one point, I thought I would be the best hotelier in the United States (okay, maybe the Texas Panhandle). Soon, those dreams faded as I became jaded by an industry I had no idea about when I jumped in head first. Alas, my dream had yet again come to an end, all a result of my lack of passion.
As you can see, there is a theme here. In order to leave a legacy behind, I have to have passion-passion that results in something unforgettable, not just today, but for many lifetimes ahead.
I headed out to sea, quite by accident, and fell in love with the adventures of travel, the excitement of cultural diversity, and the beauty of our world. Sure, it was glamorous at first, but the glamour quickly faded and it became just another job. In every job there are good days and bad days. I am lucky though…my bad days are often times in paradise!
However, it is not my job that is going to be my legacy. Who will care what I did for a living while I was alive. The trinket gifts have all rusted, crumbled, faded, frayed, or disappeared over the years. Yes, it's cool to have an African carving purchased in Kenya and not Pier One, but in reality, what does it represent when the person who received it is no longer with us. It is sorted through, thought about, and usually discarded. After all, we can't keep all the stuff we have around us, let alone the stuff of others when left behind.
So, what will I leave behind when I go? What if it is tomorrow, what if it is next week, next year, or 60 years from now? It is not an easy thing to think about sometimes. Our mortality can sometimes be a scary thing to examine. I am lucky as I have come to accept my mortality and am at peace with it. I have also come to peace with my legacy. What is my legacy you ask?
It's not that easy my friends. You carry my legacy with your memories of me and my life amongst you. I know what I want my legacy to be and I must endeavor to ensure it is clear to each and every one of you before I go. It is my hope that it will be clear and concise and easy for you to put into words. Only a few words, but words that come easily when asked.
As I move forward in this great life I am fortunate to live, I encourage each and every one of you to live your life with passion. Find what makes you you and reinforce your character with this passion. Don't die a second death. I promise to each of you I will do the same and I can assure you, when asked, I will easily be able to put into words the legacy you leave behind should the opportunity arise.
The following selection is a copy of my message to the class of 2009. (Originally published in May, 2009)
Smile. You have reached a major milestone in your life. You are to be applauded for your success. Enjoy the moment, but realize that life moves on and so must you.
Have fun. I'm not just referring to the summer ahead - I am referring to the life you have ahead of you. Never forget what makes you happy. Life is meant to be fun. Don't rush it. The journey is what's fun as the destination continually changes.
Travel. Down the block; across town; across the state; across the nation; around the world. Enjoy the adventure of traveling outside your comfort zone. You will be amazed at how quickly your comfort zone expands.
Celebrate diversity. “Oh what a boring place the world would be if everyone was just like me.” I cant think of one person this doesn't apply to.
Be Kind. Compassion not only eases the burden of others – it eases yours as well. Young or old, everyone appreciates kindness.
Read. “Oh, but I am not a reader,” you say. Believe it or not, we're all readers. No matter the format, reading expands your horizons. Whether on the net, your kindle, a magazine, book, or even your phone, explore new interests. In return, you will be rewarded with a better self-awareness.
Take pictures. Preserve life experiences today so you can enjoy your memories tomorrow.
Back-Up. It sounds technical, but its not. Yes, it's devastating when the hard drive on your computer crashes and you lose all your hard work. With life, it isn't so easy to back-up things, but possibilities do exist. Back-up your finances so you don't get into a bind. Back-up your career with plans for the future should plans for today fall through. And yes, back-up those computer files, your life will be much easier.
Love one another. Your family and friends are there for you, be there for them. No matter how bad things may seem, remember that someone out there loves you and cares about you. Life's lessons have taught me that a family isn't something you are just born into, family is something that you grow into. Embrace your family and welcome the new members as your family grows.
It's a time of celebration for you. Look to the past to celebrate your successes and look toward the future to celebrate the opportunities that lie ahead. Don't anchor your future to the past. Use the past to light the way to your future.
Wishing you happiness and success in your exciting life ahead! -JSH
E-mail me your comments regarding any of the above.
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