When Angels Visit

43 years ago I was driving my car home. An older Fiat 124. It was late at night about 1:30. I was maybe 3 blocks from home and taking off from a stop light, that was the last thing I remembered. I woke up, lying on the ground and my face felt very wet. I tried to get up but realized A man was sitting on my chest...and he said try not to move. Your very badly hurt and an ambulance is on it's way. i just kinda collapsed backward and thanked him. I had crashed the car at about 35 miles an hour into two parked cars. The Idler arm on the steering had broken. And the car just totally crumbled. He had pulled me off the hood after going through the windshield. I never managed to get this persons name or identity. But I have no doubt that if not for his actions I would not be here. I had lost 3 pints of blood by the time they got me to the hospital. I wouldn't let the surgeon start sewing me up until I was able to look at myself in a mirror. The nurse objected, but I told her look, I have no clue how bad this is...so I how can I tell if this man did a good job or not? He laughed and told her to get a mirror. I looked and did not know who was looking back at me. I was a big piece of bloody pulp. I just kinda cringed inside and told him, do your best Doc, I used to be considered a decent looking guy. He laughed again and said don't worry, it will be ok.
To this day I still wonder who the kind man who essentially saved my life is. I am still amazed that he could remain so calm looking at the mess I had become. Even as a life guard I seldom saw things that gruesome. But I am forever grateful for his help.... 43 years later I am still alive and kicking... got married, had two kids and the privilege to help raise many more. My life has been long and mostly happy.
The point is that at any moment someone might become a hero, Someone you don't know can suddenly do something to help save a perfect stranger. That kindness and love exist in times and places we least expect them to. That love is an inherent quality. Something which is eternal, and that you can carry in your heart. That there is still goodness in the world. And that we should never forget that.
I never will-Gary <3 span="">