I was finally able to come to long enough to ask where I was. He told me I had a bike accident and was in the hospital. I had a TBI, a traumatic brain injury. I learned I was paralyzed. I sunk back into blackness.
I was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital. I kept sinking in and out of consciousness. I couldn’t remember my therapists. I couldn’t remember what I’d done the day before. I couldn’t solve simple problems.
Was I going to be stupid for the rest of my life?
As an accountant, I managed millions of dollars. I was used to solving problems. I was used to a high level of performance. This would not do.
Luckily, I had terrific health care and terrific support. And I had prayers.
I started biking three months after the accident, and I now snow ski, water ski, hike, jog, and lift weights. I’m active. I just recently retired after a successful career managing millions of dollars as a financial controller.
My recovery shocked my doctor. When he looked at my MRI, he said he thought I would never walk again. I looked at my MRI. It shows some big holes in my brain.
I give God the credit. And my parents. I figured He listened to their prayers and decided to give me a break.
And I will thank Him as long as I live.
Then in 2007, my parents came to Salt Lake City from Florida to visit. And my dad got sick. Very sick. He was admitted into a hospital here but did not recover. The morning after he passed a shooting star shot across the sky as I was jogging. He was sending me a greeting. His funeral was that December.
My dad was a great man. He was honest, loving, and hard working. He supported his wife and four children without question. I always felt safe. I always felt secure. I always knew he wouldn’t ever let anything happen to me if he could possibly help it.
I wanted to honor my father…but how? Answer: write! Something I’ve always studied and done for fun.
I spent years learning the craft. I worked with a professional story editor which was the equivalent of having a private instructor. It was a blast!
I want my readers to be entertained as they are transported to that world that is in my book.
Be aware this is a work of fiction. Any similarities with real people or real events are merely coincidental.
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Deadly Gratitude Page 25