This Christmas Eve I am unfortunately reminded of an event that occured on this day last year. It was mid-afternoon and I was running some last minute errands ahead of our dinner and festivities that evening.
As I was driving home I came to a major crossroads and heard that awful sound, that of a crash.
That sound. I turned to the other side of the crossroads to see a cyclist’s body rolling across the back end of a car and land in the middle of the road. I stopped mid-turn to hopefully see him stagger to his feet and was staring intently. Please move. Please move. Please move.
Like a football injury when they tell you to look away if you’re squeamish, it was clear the position he was in would have been uncomfortable and wasn’t natural. And he wasn’t moving. This was all just literally seconds.
I pulled my car over in a nearby parking lot and ran through the traffic across the road to where he was. I didn’t know what I could do but felt I had to do something. Thankfully others had got out ahead of me and were already attending to him. I started directing traffic away.
They attempted to give him first aid but he was totally unresponsive. Police and paramedics were there quickly, and after just a minute or two they all stood up. He was already gone, clearly from the initial impact. The car had stopped and the driver was in the police car.
The cyclist had no ID on him. Was there a wallet nearby? Nothing. Nothing else could be done. Realizing you just witnessed the final moment of someone’s life in the most tragic way possible wasn’t something I was able to process.
I drove home. Teared up. ‘What’s wrong?’ ‘I just saw a man die.’ Over the next few days I thought a lot about the awful circumstances. Can you imagine? ‘He should’ve been home by now.’ Getting the call. Christmas Eve for God’s sake. Christmas Eve.
A life is a life, but my goodness the details that came out later made it even harder. A family man, entrepreneur, extensive work for charity. A family of strong faith. My hope is that has allowed them some peace. The driver, 18, sped through a red light, alcohol in bloodstream.
I’m sorry to lay down something heavy on such a festive occasion. For my market friends, if having a bad year in the market is currently the greatest problem in your life, be grateful, for you are truly blessed.
As you look back on this year and prepare for the new one ahead, it’s a good time to evaluate what’s important. The people in your life, your family, your friends. Your health. Helping others.
Plan your legacy. Live your life. You could turn a corner and it could all be gone.
Plan your legacy. Live your life. You could turn a corner and it could all be gone.
