Living life to its fullest, stay ornery!

[indytexan929]

Good Morning to all my fellow Bump enthusiasts,

I had something happen to me yesterday that has shook me to my core. It has made me look over my life and re-evaluate what is important to me, my family, and to my friends, known and unknown. Yesterday, I left my house to grab a bite to eat. As I was driving down my street, I looked over at the home of my neighbor as I do each time I drive in and out of the neighborhood. He is regularly outside, watering his lawn, trimming bushes or grass, or just tinkering on something in his garage. And by tinkering on something, I'm referring to his pristine 1929 Model A or his 1971 Mustang Mach 1 that he built from the ground up. But yesterday was something much different. As I drove by, I witnessed him lying in his driveway, up against his closed garage door. As I drove by, I thought that it looked a little odd. I decided to go back and check, so I did. He knows my truck, and always hears me as I drive by, or up into his driveway, but this time he didn't move. I hopped out and yelled to him, still no response. I ran over and saw that he was unconscience and not breathing, eyes open, and cellphone in hand. I ran to his front door, banged on it to get his wife's attention, and called 911. The dispatcher informed me that I would need to start CPR until the paramedics arrived. I handed his wife the phone and started. Within moments, police showed and tried to take over CPR, but I told them I had it handled. Paramedics then arrived and took over. They hit him twice with the AED and got activity from his heart. They packaged him up and transported him to the hospital. The first officer on the scene took my neighbor's wife, as I the officer was also my neighbor's nephew. I also went to the hospital for support and prayer. Unfortunately, we lost my friend and neighbor yesterday.

In talking with the family, I found out that he was suffering from Type 2 Diabetes, colon cancer, had pacemaker that had to be removed due to staph infection, and had just been replaced. He had been in and out of the hospital since June. And he was still so stubborn that he was spraying weeds outside with a pump up sprayer. As sad as it is to lose someone so suddenly, he was able to go out doing something that he wanted to do. As sick as he was, he still was onery enough to get out and do something. I can tell you, this is how I want to be, and I plan on being onery to my last breath. Not onery as in mean or cantankerous, but full of life and doing what I want to up until the very end. But it has also made me think about planning for the future, what things need to be done before that ending moment.

We are not promised our next breath, but each is a gift from God, and I plan on using mine to do many things. Each and every chance I get, I will express my love and devotion to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and will share His message of Salvation with all I come in contact with. I will show my love for my wife, not just to her, but to the world as well. I will show my love and care for my family and friends. I want to live bigger, live deeper, not let the worries of this world drag me down.

I’m sure many of you have seen the following quote before, but it has an even more special meaning to me now…

Life is not a journey to the grave with the
intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body,
but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- WOW-- What a Ride!


Thanks for letting me rant guys.

[MaxKlinger]

Wow, that's an interesting story. A great reminder for us all, young and old, of how fragile life is and what is truly important.

[hazelnut]

Sorry to hear about your friend, You never know when your time is coming and nothing is promised to anyone in this life.

I had a widowmaker heart attack on Jan 13 and was 15 minutes for not being here myself, Im only 46. Had to have emergency quad bypass. It dose give a different outlook on life and the important things that make life worth living. Enjoy life, You only get one shot at it and cant go back to do the things you wish you had. My condolances to you and his family.

[basketcase0302]

Condolences to your neighbors wife and extended family. Kudos to you for trying, and agreed 100% on living to it's fullest, (within a Christian's lifestyle). We certainly are not promised tomorrow-live for today.

[flyboy2610]

Each and every chance I get, I will express my love and devotion to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and will share His message of Salvation with all I come in contact with. I will show my love for my wife, not just to her, but to the world as well. I will show my love and care for my family and friends. I want to live bigger, live deeper, not let the worries of this world drag me down.

That's what matters most!
You have my thoughts and prayers on the loss of your friend.

[DuckRyder]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.

[69timemachine]

Wow, such a sad story. I'm sorry for your loss. It is a wakeup call for us all, on how fragile life is.

[CrypticRacer13]

Sorry to hear about your loose.

[69Ford]

Sorry to hear about your friend. Good job on trying to save him. My dad passed and I'm restoring his Truck.

[Mancar1]

Sorry to hear about your neighbor. I am thankful for each wonderful day. Never know when one will be called home. My wake-up call was the passing of my wonderful wife of many years 14 months ago. Good for you and your selfless actions.

[fastEdsel]

Sorry to hear of your loss, our friends and family are so precious yet there are things that happen that take up too much of our time. For example, we attended a banquet for the 50th wedding anniversary of some close friends. We had our Grand Daughter with us. The emcee prayed grace for the meal that was prepared and went on and on. At the end my Grand Daughter asked, "Grampa, how long should grace be prayed? I told her that anytime it's so long it puts a skim on the gravy, it's too long!" But most certainly we have to be Thankful for our friends and to share the Good News of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Indeed, God Bless us all!

[Crabenho]

"We are not promised our next breath" That's a powerful statement. Thanks for sharing.

[indytexan929]

I wrote this post almost 2 weeks ago, and I want to thank my "bump brothers" for their thoughts, condolences, and kind words. Sadly I have to pick it up again. I found out this morning that my sister was killed in a car accident early Saturday morning. The idea that our next breath is not promised is even more vivid in my mind now. Am I angry? A little. Sad, yes. But I have a feeling of peace that is difficult to describe. I know where it comes from, and I am thankful for it. This peace comes from my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Through His mercy, He offers a peace that surpasses all understanding. He gives comfort that no earthly method can give. I don't know who's going to read this, but if you are reading this and don't know Christ, I pray that you will open your heart to Him. He is the only way I'm getting through the events of the past several weeks. And he can and wants to help you too. I'm going to close with a youtube video. Its Casting Crowns - Praise You in this storm. If things are looking bleak for you, please, turn to Him, lean on Him, He can take it.

http://youtu.be/xGPS8sa-bRQ

[binder56jd]

those that move on to the next level are not lost--they are still available if needed--just not in human form--celebrate their victory and the joy of having had their company