Allow Life to Humble You

I had an experience that humbled me. I was shopping at BJ's. After waiting on an insanely long line with my cart full to the brim, I realized I forgot my wallet at home. I was pissed!

I then had to drive back home get my wallet and do it all over again. I was beating myself up for being so stupid and wasting so much time.

I had really hectic day and was in no mood to do this over again. When I returned back, I yanked a cart and walked in annoyed.

In the corner of my eye, I saw a familiar face. Someone I knew, yet, something seemed strange. As I walked closer, I came to see that it was my ex. We had dated while I was in my mid 20s.

Without hesitating, I made my way toward her to say hi. When I got closer I noticed that she looked really tired and unkempt.

She had these weird pajamas on and was with her mom.

I said, Hey, do you remember me? I received a zombie-like stare.

I then looked at her mom, and she looked back at me with slumped shoulders, somewhat embarrassed. I came to realize something was severely off.

She then spoke to my ex as if she was talking to a toddler. Her mom then raised up her daughters hand and put it out for me to shake, and as soon as I touched it, I felt a limp grip that just didn't seem right. There was no response.

Her mom then explained to me that she was in a tragic car accident two years ago, and since then, she's been brain damaged.

My heart sank, and I felt so sorry.

She was once so beautiful and vibrant. Now she's just a shadow of herself. She is not the person I once knew.

I did my best to act normal and not make the situation awkward, but I was really upset by it. It was difficult finding the right words to say.

I leaned in and just listened to her mom talk about everything. It seemed like she hadn't spoken to someone in a long time. She just poured her heart out.

I did my best to console her and to ease her pain. Her daughter just stared blankly ahead the entire time.

After some time passed, I gave her mother my number and hugged them both deeply.

As I they walked away, I realized how pointless it was to be for me to be upset about wasting my time earlier.

It seemed so unimportant compared to what they must go through on a daily basis.
I then thought about myself.

What if I had a tragic accident that left me brain dead?

I wouldn't want to live. I wouldn't want to put that strain upon my family, and have them do everything for me.

I wouldn't want my friends to see me, barely functioning as a vegetable.

It wouldn't be the real me.

I guess it's an eternal question that has crossed our minds at one point or another.

It is probably the hardest decision to be made by a loved one.

To keep one alive without the use of their mind.

Honestly, it was difficult to see her like that. I think that maybe this all happened for a reason.

I would have never saw them if I didn't come back the second time.

Being so busy it always feels like there's never enough time.

Now it feels like I have all the time in the world.

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