If someone asks me about a profound time in my life, I turn to February 10th, 1972. On the one hand, I wish it was an anniversary that did not happen but on the other hand, it is one of the most important things that happened. This day is why I go through like looking for the extraordinary in the ordinary.
On February 10th, I was closing in on 10 years old. I got home from school and my aunt was there and before I went out to play with my friends, she informed me my father had an accident. Now at 10, my vision (and this is what I still vividly remember to this day) was my father’s car rolling into a ditch, him getting out and walking home. Unfortunately, I wish it was that but in actual fact, my father had a catastrophic industrial accident and became a paraplegic. That was 40 years ago today but we don’t really welcome this day with vigor and enthusiasm.
What is important about today though is that it left me with a very important life lesson…and it is not a morbid thought. What happened on Feb 10th, was a reminder to me that life has no guarantees. I get ready for work and out the door, but there is no guarantee that I am going to be coming home today. I cram as much into my day so I can go to bed and say…”Wow, I can’t believe I got to do all that today.” It becomes the foundation of discovering and appreciating the extraordinary out of the ordinary. Also, it made my father a pillar of our family and I have learned from his strength.
It also brings a moment where my aunt in England and I had a debate. She said that it was terrible about what happened to our family on February 10th. I had to explain that actually was not terrible. With this, she thought I was crazy…of course it was tragic. I had to say that as a family, we don’t dwell on this day. It is not a good thing but it is also not a terrible thing because If we do dwell, then it is tragic. We have chosen to say that life has thrown us this day and this accident back in 1972…we have to overcome the tragedy and pull lessons and for us it was that we have to deal with what is provided. I think a valuable way to look at life. Riaz and I spoke about this exact thought last night.
So while February 10th is a date I wish was a non-event, it is such an important date in my foundation. Wake up today, understand that there is so much to be grateful for and embrace the day.