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Cheating Death

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I guy I knew was killed recently in a motorcycle accident. This caused me to reflect on past events. On at least four (and possibly up to 7 or 8) different times I should have been killed, not almost killed, but flat out dead. I find it surreal that someone I knew, someone whom I considered "privileged" and "lucky" is now stone cold dead from an unfortunate incident. This makes two "lucky" people I know dead from motorcycle accidents. I myself should have been killed on one at least three times. Just a few thousandths of a second made the difference. Part of me thinks it may be attitude that made the difference, I'm expecting the other guy to screw me so I'm watching for it and the other two guys don't have a care in the world.

I still don't understand why I'm not dead. Out of all the REALLY stupid, "No, don't hold my beer I'm still drinking it" things I've done....I'm still somehow alive. I'm pretty sure when I die it'll be from something really stupid, like I slipped onna grape that was dropped by a parrot that escaped from Doc's BBQ pit....

(cause I know they are all over his backyard and he has a blow gun. :excitement: )
 
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Not counting my time as a combat camera photog, I'm in the same boat. Shoulda been dead more'n a couple times when consequence came second to: "Just DO it!"

My two-wheel days are far behind me now, I've posted before: "Doc don't ride two wheels no mo'. " Promised Mitsy many years ago that would be the case.
 
DrEntropy said:
My two-wheel days are far behind me now, I've posted before: "Doc don't ride two wheels no mo'. " Promised Mitsy many years ago that would be the case.
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Same here, that's why I bought the MG...that I almost got run completely over by a fully loaded gravel truck. I'm honestly still alive from that from me wanting to be courteous and getting out of his way not realizing he was about to kill me. I guess the moral is, "Be nice, live longer".
 
Been there more than once.
125' with the hatches open was a good one. Dumptruck/lowboy with dozer at 60, with me stopped at a grade crossing is another.
Three weeks ago with the pickup is another.

Trust me.
God isn't done with you yet.
 
One of the various sidelines I have is that of a volunteer historian with the local parks. I've been researching aircraft accidents that occurred on park lands. In particular, there was a Capital Airlines DC-3 that crashed in Clarksburg, Maryland in June 1957. I had done extensive research on the crew, including interviews of family members. I often find myself contemplating why three good men, and good in every sense of the word: Good pilots, good fathers, good husbands, ended up dying because of what was a momentary lapse in judgment. Maybe if they had another 100 - 200 feet of altitude the story would have ended differently.

Ultimately, I came to the realization that the universe is like a jigsaw puzzle: Even if you are able to put two pieces together, you still don't see the greater mosaic. The only one who gets to see the entire picture is god himself. I could not tell you why the breaks fell one person's way while they didn't fall another's way, but the reasoning is only apparent once more pieces of the puzzle come together. Sometimes we're lucky enough to see that, sometimes not.
 
Billy, as a Vietnam Vet friend of mine put it....The man puts the day he wants you back in the book the day you are born.....there is no fightin it..
 
My youngest son, excellent husband, father, bread winner, who as most know was an aerobatic pilot of high stature and National champion, was killed on a stupid 4 wheeler! American Airlines claimed him as one of the most brilliant employees they've ever had! One of the executives told me he was an encyclopedia of aviation knowledge and general aviation has lost an extremely important knowledge base in his passing. We knew he was very bright and a perfectionist, but not to the extent that American thought of him. Why was he taken? You can say whatever you wish, but there is no answer for this in my book! We now know what it is like for a parent to loose a child and it's the worst feeling anyone could ever imagine. It never leaves you, it's there 24 hrs a day and forceably you make your self continue for others. Be safe in all that you do! Think before action, if not for your self, for the others that will be effected by your mistakes. Sorry for the sermon, just getting it off my chest. PJ
 
Bought the souped up turbo version once instead of the standard cooking model we had talked about. She never did realize until several years after I 'moved it on'.
 
PAUL161 said:
Sorry for the sermon, just getting it off my chest. PJ
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Nothing to apologize for. I think about you and your son a lot. Why? Because I can't imagine how difficult that must be. (I was reluctant in posting this because of your loss.) I don't have kids and I never will, so I'll never know lots of things. Your son's death bugs me. Why? because to almost loose him through health issues and then to loose him a short while later....well...that bugs me. (I've wondered often if some undiscovered health issue cause the crash. BTW, he's not the other person I'm referring to. I would never do that. Both of the guys I'm talking about I know from school.)

As much as I wish there was something I could say or do that would make things better, I know from personal experience there is nothing anyone can....

...however; as I stated before and will continue to do so every chance I get; the boy couldn't have had a better, more supportive or loving father.

Believe me when I say, I speak with the utmost experience and authority on the subject. :yesnod:
 
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I've bought a couple of cars without telling my wife first, so I can attest to the fact that it counts as cheating death.
 
waltesefalcon said:
I've bought a couple of cars without telling my wife first, so I can attest to the fact that it counts as cheating death.
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Mine's been cool about that. I tell her but she could care less. Then again, she thought my '68 SS Chevelle looked just like my '69 Super Bee...
 
That's not a good sign Billy, I'm afraid your wife is blind.
 
PAUL161 said:
We now know what it is like for a parent to loose a child and it's the worst feeling anyone could ever imagine. It never leaves you, it's there 24 hrs a day and forceably you make your self continue for others. Be safe in all that you do! Think before action, if not for your self, for the others that will be effected by your mistakes. Sorry for the sermon, just getting it off my chest. PJ
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I don't think there is anything act more unnatural than having to bury a child. We expect to have to bury our parents at some point, as that is the natural order of things. Parents are never expected to have to bury their children. Maybe in a picture far greater than any of us can conceptualize, there is some kind of rationale. Unfortunately, us humans don't ever get to see that picture, so we're only left to wonder why. My heart goes out to you and your family. God bless.
 
I forgot my Wife's birthday - ONCE!
It took me two weeks to figure out why she was
mad at me.

- Doug
 
Doug I don't ever have that problem, my wife's birthday is one week after Trafalgar day. To make things even easier on me she let me pick our wedding date, so I picked it one week before Trafalgar day. Never will forget either one that way.
 
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