I know this blog is about teaching 🙂 So I know I am taking a leap of faith here by sharing something with you.
Today is the 13th anniversary of a day that my world changed forever. I was involved a fatal car accident as a teenager. My childhood “sweetheart” ,Jimmy, passed away in this accident. The top of the car caved in on me severely damaging my face. In our car (shown below), there were four passengers. The driver (Jimmy) died instantly. My brother walked away with a few cuts and bruises, but memories that would last a lifetime. Our other friend, was more severely injured. He broke his legs and his arm. It was a very difficult time for all of us. God sure put is through it to help others.
As I’ve grown older, I often think about the experiences I have been blessed to experience, and it saddens me that my friend, Jimmy, was unable to experience the same things. His life ended way too soon. He was a great person who would have went very far in his life. He dreamed of attending Florida State University and was a die hard ‘Noles Fan!
After this accident, I was involved in several cosmetic facial surgeries to repair the damage. It often bothered me. Now, it’s just apart of who I am. And I am okay with that. Our accident, was just a result of inexperience, no texting, alcohol or anything like that.
I found out afterwards, years actually, that my grandfather had a campaign called “Crusade for Safety”. He worked with the local police department to reward drivers who were caught driving carefully. Local companies donated products or services to people who were caught driving carefully. My grandfather passed away when I was just a small child, so for me, this was huge. I felt so close to someone that I have no memories of.
So I wanted to take all of these things, and create a virtual “Crusade For Safety“. By that I just mean, when you get into your car, think about the choices you make. If you are a driver who texts and drive, I encourage you to read about Alex Brown. Any distraction is a danger to not only yourself, but to other drivers on the road. Wearing a seat belt SAVED my life. Remember these things, life is too short and “death doesn’t play favorites”. Turn the radio down, stop answering the phone, and just drive. If you have teenagers, I encourage you to talk to them, even if you already have, AGAIN. Make a passenger limit rule, a cell phone rule, a TEXTING rule….anything you think that can keep your child SAFE. Young drivers are so inexperienced, combined with these other things, it’s a dangerous situation. Be sure you drive with them often, even after they receive their full license. Jimmy had just turned 16, three weeks prior. If you teach high school, please share this message with your students!!! Take this image, place it on your blog, profile,FB page, twitter, pinterest board, whatever, as a reminder that you are going to make an effort to be a better driver and talk to your kids about the same thing. Make this week your “Crusade For Safety”. Print this image,display it on your wall, especially if you teach high school!!!! I am so fortunate that god spared me that day, he knew I had work to do, he knew I would share HIS message. God is the reason that I am the person I am today, I am forever grateful for his love. Happy Teaching 🙂
