Second Chance

Today, December 15, is the day I celebrate what I consider to be a second extension in life.

Six years ago on this date, I was on my way to Manila, together with my two aunts and a friend. We were on aboard a pick up and somebody else was driving. While we were along Quirino Highway, the pick-up  suddenly crossed to the other lane and turned turtle twice.  Before we turned turtle, I remember asking the driver why he was crossing the other side of the road. I also remember one of my aunts screaming the driver’s name. But it was too late. It felt like we were being tossed around . Everything was going too fast. There was darkness and I felt somebody on top of me. With some difficulty, we managed to extricate our entangled limbs and we managed to get out. The pick up was in terrible shape. The windshield was shattered and the roof was caved in. People passing by would look, shake their heads and ask: “How many people died here?”.

Miraculously, no one did. Only two people were injured. I suffered a huge bump in the head and my aunt’s leg was bleeding. Somebody who lived nearby took us in and gave us breakfast and lunch while we reported the incident and had the pick-up towed. Two days later, I was buying Christmas decor somewhere in Quezon City. For a few days after that, my body was aching in parts, but that was that.  I did get a check up but all it showed was that my brain was still intact.

Until I lost my wallet, I used to keep a picture of the pick-up as it was lying on its back on a ditch. I  wanted to keep a reminder of how precious life is and how we can lose it in a blink of an eye. I vowed to be a better person after that day.

Would somebody have died in there? Maybe. I’m just thankful that I got away with a bump on the head. Has my life changed for the better after the accident?  Maybe just a little bit. I think I am now more appreciative of the people I love. And I realize now that life is indeed fleeting and precious.

What changes would you do in your life?