Appreciate Life

[Psalms23]

After reading Meadow's story and reading Kelly's stories under inspiring..I felt that I should share this. Everyday you get up and just go..not thinking that something could happen that day and that it might change the rest of your life. I have had many things in my life that has happened that has changed my life forever, I would like to share two of them.

Four years ago to this weekend all of us seniors went to school tired, due to pull an all nighter but VERY excited cause it was our last day of high school for the REST of our lives. (Week before graduation) During first period (Choir) We went down to the little theater to practice for our choir concert that was going to be on Sunday Evening. We started to sing a song called Will you Remember Me By Sarah McLachlan..While singing it I went down and I put my arms around a good friend of mine and sang that song with her...but what I didnt know was that I was going to always remember her! What everyone didnt know was that her ex-boyfriend and the father of her 2 month old son was going to take her life. I remember my father and brother coming home the next morning (sat.) from Wal-Mart telling me that they ran into a good friend of mine and she informed them that Kolet was shot the night before. I went church the next morning and while I was heading home I was given word that she didn't make it. I just thought to myself, how am I going to make it through this week thats suppose to be full of happiness! I was asked to give a speech at her memorial service and to be one of the pall bear. I just keep thinking to myself...How am I going to keep it together and be strong for the people around that doesn't have Christ in their lives. I just remember praying over and over and over for the strength and wisdom for the days to come. The day that the memorial service and the funeral came..it was like there was this peace that came over me and Its amazing what the power of prayer can do! I challenge you to go to prayer when times get rough!

As a few years go by on Oct. 29 2007 I got off work and went out for a photo shoot with a good friend of mine. I was out driving around taking photos of him so he can send back home to his family for Christmas Gifts. At 6:30 I was making a left hand turn into a driveway three miles from home. I was turning around to come back home since we were done and had the photos we wanted...As I was making a left hand turn, a brand new F150 struck me in the driver door and the front finder taking my car for a skid going sideways missing a telephone pole by two feet...As I was being transported to the ER..the EMT told me that the 20 year old male in the truck had been drinking..It was only by the GRACE of God that My friend Travis and I walked away from the wreck alive which I am VERY Thankful!!! GOD IS GOOD!!!

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Like I was saying..Your life can change in a blink of an eye. I think we all should take time, just sit back and appreciate life a little more. I know I'm guilty of it and I don't appreciate life as much as I should and that is something that i'm working on. Sorry this a a little long. I just want to end this with a little story that I had remembered when i was reading meadow's thread inspiring.


Went to a Party Mom

"I went to a party, Mom"
I went to a party,
and remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink, Mom
so I had a sprite instead.

I felt proud of myself,
the way you said I would,
that I didn't drink and drive,
though some friends said I should.

I made a healthy choice,
and your advice to me was right
as the party finally ended,
and the kids drove out of sight.

I got into my car,
sure to get home in one piece,
I never knew what was coming, Mom
something I expected least.

Now I'm lying on the pavement,
And I hear the policeman say,
"The kid that caused this wreck was
drunk,"
Mom, His voice seems far away.

My own blood's all around me,
as I try hard not to cry.
I can hear the paramedic say,
"This girl is going to die."

I'm sure the guy had no idea,
while he was flying high,
because he chose to drink and drive,
now I would have to die.

So why do people do it, Mom
Knowing that it ruins lives?
And now the pain is cutting me,
like a hundred stabbing knives.

Tell sister not to be afraid, Mom
tell daddy to be brave,
and when I go to heaven,
put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave.

Someone should have taught him,
that its wrong to drink and drive.
Maybe if his parents had,
I'd still be alive.

My breath is getting shorter, Mom
I'm getting really scared.
These are my final moments,
and I'm so unprepared.

I wish that you could hold me Mom,
as I lie here and die.
I wish that I could say I love you, Mom
So I love you and good-bye.


God Bless!
Aaron

[Kelly]

Wow, thanks for posting this Aaron! I'd heard parts of the car accident story, but not the one about your friend. I'm so sorry that happened! I can tell God was speaking to you when you held her while singing that song!

When I was little my grandpa got stomach cancer and we were told he would not make it. He passed away when I was in the hospital having surgery, which was hard, but I will never forget our last moment together. We were at his and my grandma's house having a BBQ just to spend the little time we had left together. After we ate, I went and got on the swing. He came up to me and started swinging me, but neither of us said a word. Then he goes "I love you Kelly!" I said "I love you too!" and he goes "Let's not say anything else" and we didn't. You really never know when it's your time, or anyone else's so you should definitely treasure every moment here on earth!

And as for that story you posted...that makes me break down every time I read it! This one does as well....

A Pizza, A Party, and a Moonlight Ride

Jenny was so happy about the house they had found.
For once in her life 'twas the right side of town.
She unpacked her things with such great ease,
As she watched her new curtains blow in the breeze.

How wonderful it was to have her own room.
School would be starting, she'd have friends over soon.
There'd be sleepovers and parties; she was so happy.
It's just the way she wanted her life to be.

On the first day of school, everything went great.
She made new friends and even got a date!
She thought, "I want to be popular and I'm going to be,
Because I just got a date with the star of the team!"

To be known in this school you had to have clout,
And dating this guy would sure help her out.
There was only one problem stopping her fate.
Her parents had said she was too young to date.

"Well, I just won't tell them the entire truth.
They won't know the difference; what's there to lose?"
Jenny asked to stay with her friends that night.
Her parents frowned but said, "All right."

Excited, she got ready for the big event.
But as she rushed around like she had no sense,
She began to feel guilty about all the lies.
But what's a pizza, a party and a moonlight ride?

Well, the pizza was good, the party was great,
But the moonlight ride would have to wait.
For Jeff was half drunk by this time.
But he kissed her and said that he was just fine.

Then the room filled with smoke and Jeff took a puff.
Jenny couldn't believe he was smoking that stuff.
Now Jeff was ready to ride to the point;
But only after he'd smoked another joint.

They jumped in the car for the moonlight ride,
Not thinking that he was too drunk to drive.
They finally made it to the point at last,
And Jeff started trying to make a pass.

A pass is not what Jenny wanted at all.
(and by a pass, I don't mean playing football.)
"Perhaps my parents were right . . .maybe I am too young.
Boy, how could I ever, ever be so dumb."

With all her might, she pushed Jeff away.
"Please take me home. I don't want to stay."
Jeff cranked up the engine and floored the gas.
In a matter of seconds they were going too fast.

As Jeff drove on in a fit of wild anger,
Jenny knew that her life was in danger.
She begged and pleaded for him to slow down,
But he just got faster as they neared the town.

"Just let me get home! I'll confess I lied -
I really went out for a moonlight ride."
Then all of sudden, she saw a big flash.
"Oh, God, please help us! We're going to crash!"

She doesn't remember the force of the impact,
Just that everything all of a sudden went black.
She felt someone remove her from the twisted rubble.
And heard, "Call an ambulance! These kids are in trouble!"

Voices she heard . . . a few words at best.
But she knew there were two cars involved in the wreck;
Then wondered to herself if Jeff was all right,
And if the people in the other car were alive.

She woke in the hospital to faces so sad.
"You've been in a wreck and it looks pretty bad."
These voices echoed inside her head.
As they gently told her that Jeff was dead.

They said, "Jenny, we've done all we can do.
But it looks as if we'll lose you, too."
"But the people in the other car!?" Jenny cried.
"We're sorry, Jenny, they also died."

Jenny prayed, "God, forgive me for what I've done.
I only wanted to have just one night of fun."
"Tell those people's family, I've made their lives dim,
And wish I could return their families to them."

"Tell Mom and Dad I'm sorry I lied,
And that it's my fault so many have died.
Oh, nurse, won't you please tell them that for me?"
The nurse just stood there. She never agreed -

But took Jenny's hand with tears in her eyes.
And a few moments later, Jenny died.
A man asked the nurse, "Why didn't you do your best
To bid that girl her one last request?"

She looked at the man with eyes so sad.
"Because the people in the other car were her mom and dad."

This story is sad and unpleasant, but true.
So young people take heed.
It could have been you.

I also have a poem I wrote after the Columbine incident....I'll try to dig it up and post it on here....

[Psalms23]

Wow! What a story! Every time I read those stories..It touches me more and more. Its feels more alive and it makes me appreciate life so much more! The wreck I was could have been 5times worse then what it was..God is Good and everything happens for a reason. Thanks for sharing the stories! Its really neat how God works things out!! It think it would have been a lot harder if we hadn't sang that song together! Please post the other story once you find it! Thanks again for sharing that!
God Bless!!

[Kelly]

I found it....

All the Time in the World
copyright: Kelly Williams 2000

She woke up one bright, beautiful morning
The sun shining as if about to explode
She wondered how this day would be
Or if in the end she would come out alive
Lately that has been the one burning question
Running through her mind like yesterday's homework
She carefully picked out her clothes for school
Ironing as if she had all the time in the world
Carefully running the iron over every wrinkle
Paying very close attention to each and every one
Her parents called her down for breakfast
She threw on her clothes and carefully
Ran a brush through her wrinkled hair
Brushing as if she had all the time in the world
Carefully brushing through every tangle
Paying very close attention to every strand
She then ran down the stairs as if she were a cheetah
Chasing its prey as if it were the cheetah's only meal
She slowed down and sat down in her chair
As her mother placed french toast in front of her
Eating as if she had all the time in the world
Carefully devouring each and every bite
Paying very close attention to the sweet taste of syrup on each
Once she was done, she grabbed her books and rushed out to her car
And was off to another normal day at school
Driving as if she had all the time in the world
Carefully watching all around her
Paying very close attention to every sign in the road
She pondered how her day would go
Would her crush finally ask her out?
Would she pass that Algebra test?
Would she survive the mystery lunch?
She pulled up to the school to find her friends
Standing, waiting to greet her
She got out of the car and walked towards her friends
Walking as if she had all the time in the world
Carefully walking towards the school
Paying very close attention to every step
"Hello", she said as she approached the group
"Shall we go in?" she asked as they entered the school
They walked down the hall
Acknowledging almost everyone in sight
Then it happened - a gun shot, a scream
All heck broke loose
Students running everywhere
As if they had no time in the world
One of the gunmen approached her
He grabbed her with all his strength
"Do you believe in God?" he asked
Shaking with fear, she stood her ground
"Yes I do" she declared,
And then she fell to the ground
The bullet had ripped right through her head
And was now consuming her life
Slowly, but surely, she was dying
Dying as if she had all the time in the world
Carefully reciting her will
Paying very close attention to every detail
The people around her
For she had grown up with these faces
Her teachers who had provided her
With nothing but the utmost inspiration
She carefully took her last breath and was gone
Never again to iron, brush, eat, drive, or walk
As if she has all the time in the world
For she has no time in the world, and never again will she
An innocent life has just been taken
The world is in shock
Yet we still live as if we have all the time in the world
How long is it going to take to make the world
Realize how precious our time is down here
Will it take a twenty minute lecture, a day,
Or perhaps - all the time in the world.

[LauraA]

Very thought provoking Kelly and Aaron. We never know when we'll be heading home.

Aaron, you've told me about your friend and how her life ended before, but it hit me hard as I read about it again. I just don't know how people without Jesus can live through these heartaches. It makes me think of Third Day's song, "Cry Out to Jesus."

[Psalms23]

Very thought provoking Kelly and Aaron. We never know when we'll be heading home.

Aaron, you've told me about your friend and how her life ended before, but it hit me hard as I read about it again. I just don't know how people without Jesus can live through these heartaches. It makes me think of Third Day's song, "Cry Out to Jesus."

Thats very true, you never know!! I'm telling ya, If it wasnt for having Christ in my life..I dont know if I would have made it..when I was first told that Sat. morning (four ago today) I just fell to my knee..I couldnt stand and i felt weak and helpless and then later on that night as i laid in bed..I just prayed over and over time after time..Prayer has some power!! Its amazing what pray can do!! God is good!! One of thing I could say that helped me over the years is Walk By Faith amazing testimony!!

If you could please pray for tomorrow as her family and friends re-live this day and that it can just bring peace and comfort to them!
RIP Kolet 5-23-04
Thanks a lot!
God Bless!!
Aaron

[krazyyouth]

Hers a song that is really sad and maybe this can go towards anything that e need to appreate life i learned that...
It's Not Supposed To Go Like That-Rascal Flatts

Tommy found his daddy's gun
And Joey had never seen one
Real cowboy all dressed up
As he held it in his hand
Said, "You be good and I'll be bad"
Then he pulled the trigger back
Stopped little Tommy in his tracks
And said, "Get up, man"
People came from miles to say goodbye
To the Wilson's youngest son
His innocent life had just begun

CHORUS

It's not supposed to go like that
It's not intended to end that way
Life is a journey constantly turning
Down an unknown path
But it's not supposed to go like that

Jimmy had his daddy's car
And the keys to Jenny's heart
A fifth of whiskey on the floorboard
Almost gone
Havin' the time of their life
Had only one thing on their mind
Never saw the flashin' lights
Or the train comin' on
Now there's a wreath and two small crosses
On the right side of the road
Reminders of a love that won't grow

REPEAT CHORUS

I wonder if guardian angels cry
When they see it all played out
And as they stand with their hands tied
Oh, do they cry out loud

It's not suppose to go like that
No, it's not supposed to go like that
No, it's not supposed to go like that
No, it's not supposed to go like that
No, it's not supposed, it's not supposed to go like that
No, no, no, it's not supposed to go like that

Whe i hread this song i cried

[Psalms23]

Oh WoW, I have never heard that song before..how old is it?? Im got it playing on youtube right now! Very but sad song! Thanks for sharing!

[Kelly]

I love that song!!!!! I heard part of it in a video blog they did several years ago and we've (Fan club) been BEEEEGGGGING them to put it on an album....three albums later they finally did!

[krazyyouth]

umm blond moment is me your talking to??????