Almost 2 months ago, this guy I went to high school with was hit by a car. He had signed up for the Army or Army Reserves, and he was having a going away party. I knew him, but never very well. I didn't go to his going away party. That night, he went to the road to give a friend directions on how to get there when he was hit by a car. I don't know the details very well.
For awhile, he was in a coma. The doctors said he would never wake up. Well, one day he did. After he awoke from his coma, there was a point where he was deteriorating, fast. He started improving, though. He has extensive brain damage from the accident. He had some broken bones, but those are well on their way to being healed. Now it's the battle with brain damage.
Today, for the first time, I went with some high school friends and saw him.
I was shocked, and I didn't know how to react. I didn't know what to say.
It's one thing to hear that it happened. You say, wow, that's really sad, I feel bad for their family...and then you go back to your life.
But to see someone in that state, it's heartbreaking.
At this point, he can focus on things sometimes. He can hear you, but he can't talk. He can move his limbs, but from mid-shin down he has to have boot things on, I think to help with his broken bones. He can respond with some things. He's started being able to grab a tennis ball from your hand. If you put chap stick on his lips, he will hear you when you tell him to mash his lips around and he will.
After a while, I sat down next to him and held his hand. There are times when he squeezes very hard on your hand. I can tell he's not all there, but from what I hear, he's doing something everyday that helps his recovery. While I was there, he moved around a lot. I couldn't tell if it was because he was uncomfortable, or if he was trying to get up from the bed. I can tell that he's trying very hard to be able to do things.
It was probably the hardest thing I've ever seen. To have to see someone struggle like that. I think to me, it was one of those life-altering moments.
Every day, people take things they do for granted. The things they are able to do. They take for granted what they have. Suddenly, these material things surrounding me don't matter as much. Every day, be grateful for one small thing that you are able to do on your own. Like walking. Or going to the bathroom. Be grateful that you can walk out your front door and smell the fresh air instead of being in a hospital bed. That you can go to work instead of struggling to grasp for a tennis ball.
Life is fragile. Just a split second, and it can be changed forever. We are all mortal, we can die. Death seems so far away when we aren't faced with it.
Even if you think your life sucks, it's better than being helpless in your body.
Every day, be grateful.
{EDIT}
I forgot to say, that I told my friend that if that was my child, I would fall apart. Then again, you never know until you're in that position. Maybe I would find the strength to stay positive for my child, even though my heart would be broken.
