A Horrible Night/A Wonderful Night

My friend Gordon is in a local hospital’s intensive care unit tonight; he had a motorcycle accident a few hours ago and was found bleeding and in shock. He has several serious injuries that required surgery and he lost a lot of blood, but it looks like he’s going to come through his ordeal well, though it will take time. Being healthy, young, smart enough to wear good protective gear and lucky enough to be taken to a hospital with a fine trauma team saved Gordon’s life. We were so very scared, and are so incredibly grateful.

It was a horrible night for Gordon: his life was nearly snatched from him. He was left with new scars and major injuries that will take a while to heal. And it was a wonderful night for Gordon: he lives, and his friends are all reminded how lucky we are to have him among us and how important it is that he know how we feel. We are all grateful that Gordon has a good life to come back to after peeking over the precarious ledge between life and death.

Gordon is a kind, generous, talented young man, the sort of instantly likeable fellow who brightens a room with his energy, brains and good humor. He appreciates all he has and all others do to help him. He regularly goes out of his way to enrich others’ lives. When we heard of his accident tonight, we had a few very worried hours till we learned that it looks like he’ll come through it all well. People as determined as he is to share their talents and kindness with others are rare, and we thank the doctors and nurses who saved his life tonight.

My friend's very close call has reminded me again how fragile life is, and how blessed we are to have new chances every day to love, to give, to lighten someone’s load, to forgive, to ask forgiveness, to be grateful. We have so many opportunities to do favors, bring comfort, make things better or make sure others know what they mean to us. Each day brings new chances to use our power for good. But our days here don't go on forever; we need to live our lives well today, not wait for next week or next year to make our days count or make our appreciation known to others. Gordon knows these things, and I’m lucky to know him. I am so grateful that he’ll be sticking around. We can really use a guy like him in this weary old world.