It's tragic to think that one could die without ever waking up to the miracle that is his life. So often we find ourselves depressed or stressed about things that, ultimately, don't matter all that much. When that happens, we've subconsciously taken for granted the very premise of our troubles: our very existence. Maybe you scrubbed out on a test; at least you've still got the hands you took the test with, hands that can strike, caress, feed, fold origami, play video games, perform open-heart surgery, hold a friend, steer a car, communicate with the deaf, and sense the world around you. And those are just your hands. Don't get me started on toes.

Even people who don't have annoyances get a certain abhorrent ennui. They themselves remain blind to the wonder of creation, and the magical role they've been gratuitously offered. Themselves bored with life, they cynically berate those who enjoy it, and all of their pointless pleasures. Hence the battlecry, "Life Sucks, Die." However, point a gun at them, and offer to help them out of their futility, and suddenly everything changes. "His cornflakes the next morning will be the best breakfast he's ever tasted;" the world will never have been so beautiful.

Back in August, Eric Wolpert and I were on the road trying to finalize a housing deal. It was my first day at a job I loved. I had approximately 15 minutes to get the money order to the leasing agent, when my car was totaled in what should have been a head-on collision. Shards from the driver's side mirror peppered my eyelid, and shattered glass filled my hair. I spent two hours immobilized upon a gurney, waiting for x-rays to be taken to see what the damage was. The results came back; Eric and I were fine. Some whiplash, obviously, a bruise on my left arm and an airbag burn on Eric's right hand, but nothing major.

Since everything was fine, I didn't wake up. Rather, I spent my time mourning the loss of everything I thought was so important. It took some interaction with persons from my past and some prayer to realize how incredibly blessed I've been recently, and how, all things considered, I've been given an awesome opportunity for a relatively short period of time. 'Cause, when you think about it, pretty soon we'll all be dead (which will hopefully be amazing) so all we have is now in this world that even God says is very good.

So that's why I'm finally writing, after vehemently refusing to blog. It's no gun, to be sure, but hopefully this blog can get some shots off that'll wake up those who might be dozing through life. In the words of St. John the Baptist, "Wake up! The Kingdom of God is at hand."