Thursday, November 02, 2006

Life is Good

Ok, I posted on RIf's blog that I was in a rollover accident. In a nutshell, I was on the cell phone to my coworker discussing the day's training. Came up to fast to a redlight, going downhill. Hit the brakes and locked up. Rear wheel skid, tried to correct, but the combo of the downhill angle and high center of balance with my Bronco made it ripe for a rollover. Skidded upside down into a light pole, knocking it over. I was hanging upside down, fortunately my seatbelts worked! (pre-airbag model)

A CHP motor was also at the intersection and was there in a second. God bless Officer Frost! I smelled gas leaking and thought, I need to get out of here! They told me that there was no concern of it igniting, but there is something about being trapped upside down, and smelling gas that made me want to be absolutely sure. They cut my belts, and I crawled out of the car, to everyone's amazement. One Chippee told me he had seen fatalities in accidents that looked like mine, and I was lucky to be walking away with no scratches. I was definitely high on adrenaline. I said I was going to go to work, but my peers who showed up (my coworker was still on the phone when the crash happened and got my location)told me to go get checked out. Being obstinate, I assured them I was fine, but as the adrenaline started to subside, I realized it would be prudent to get checked out.

So I went home to my family who took me to the ER. Where after being x-rayed said there was nothing wrong structurally with me, but I would have some muscular aches and pains.

Upon reflection, I am slapped in the face with how quickly life can change for the better or worse. When I came home to my family, the hugs and kisses they gave me were priceless. Those are the things worth striving, and in the end, matter the most.

I am fine, a little sore, but moving around. I am taking today off of work as well to rest the body and mind. Friday, I will go to work since we are taking the recruits to Deputy Mitchell's memorial. It's the least I can do to honor a fallen brother.

I am not even stressed that my workout is off track a few days. I am just thankful knowing I am healthy enough to return to it soon enough. The focus on core tension undoubtedly helped me physically survive this along with God's help. I am thinking of the quote of "God helps those who helps themselves." I believe that goes hand in hand with the first of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People; Be Proactive.

Thanks to all of you who showed me concern on Rif's blog. I am thankful to be alive, healthy, and functional.

11 comments:

Tommy Shook said...

Pete,

Glad you're doing well and didn't get injured seriously. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers, as I always do. Be well, be safe..its a jungle out there!

Pete said...

Thanks Tom. You be safe too, my First Responder brother!

Ken Black said...

Glad you are okay Pete. Heal up fast bro.

Ken

Pete said...

Thanks Ken, it was good talking to you today! Have fun in LA!

Mark Reifkind said...

as I said elsewhere, thank God you are ok. heal fast.

Franz Snideman said...

WE love you brother! We must thank GOD that he protected you and also that you are still here to be with your precious family!

I love your quote about "God helps those who help themselves." That really is the first of the seven habits, be pro-active. I have no doubt that being in top shape places a key role in saving lives (structurally and neurologically = faster reflexes)

Be well Pete!

Pete said...

You all are wonderful people. Your words and prayers are absolutely appreciated by me and my family. Thank you all.

Tim Dymmel said...

Pete,

I am glad you are ok. Sounded pretty scary.

I do feel, as a believer in Christ, I have to correct you on your scripture quote.

"God helps those who help themselves!"
Hezekiah 6:1

This verse, of course, is not in the Bible. Hezekiah sounds plausible enough, but is not a real book of scripture. "Yeah! That's from the book of Hezekiah, isn't it?" is the code-word for these kinds of phantom texts.

Hezekiah was a King of Judah that instituted great reform to restore the people to God. But there is no scripture attributed to him.

More important, this "verse" is unbiblical in its meaning. It is exactly the opposite of the message of scripture.

Jer 17:5 (NIV) This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD."

Prov 28:26 (NIV) He who trusts in himself is a fool...

Just a Christian brother trying to correct a common misunderstanding.

Dymmel

Mark Reifkind said...

so how ya doing homie? training? sore? we wanna know/

Pete said...

Dymmel,

Thank you for the correction. It is interesting the miscommunication and misleading quotes that are out there. I can't tell you how many times I have heard that quote, only now to find out that it's not in the Bible.

Yet, it is something that I grew up with and still think that it holds certain Christian principles such focusing on hard work, and not being idle. Still, I don't want to mislead anyone into thinking it is a Biblical quote.

Joe Sarti said...

Pete,

Glad you are doing well! Get better fast and look forward to reading more about your training, so get on your feet fast