Another New Lease On Life

What a life we have, people.

I had a really fantastic weekend at a Christian performing arts camp I counsel for. Many of the counselors went out to eat after we were done cleaning up last night, and we had a lovely time. I think it was one of the better weekends I've had at camp, and camp is always wonderful.

My drive home was another story.

Just to preface, I'm fine. My car is fine; everything is completely fine. Here's what happened:

I almost hit an opossum, and it was terrifying. I saw it trotting into the road from the right, and I swerved. I learned in driver's ed NOT to swerve, and NOT to slam on the brakes. I still know not to jerk the wheel and to instead ease gently out of danger without pressing down too hard on the brake pedal. But guess what? That's what I did. I slammed the brakes and jerked the wheel, because I REALLY didn't want to hit an innocent little animal. It spun me around, but I thankfully stayed on the road, and there was no incoming traffic. It could have been so much worse, and I still can't believe it happened. I know my life is far more precious than that of an opossum, and I probably would have been better off just hitting it and moving on (as grotesque as that sounds, and as much as I would've hated to do that).

That altercation with nighttime nature has provoked some introspection. I am so immensely thankful that nothing happened to me or my trusty mode of transportation, and I'm glad that one more animal is still alive because I didn't hit it (I just wish I would have gone about avoiding it differently). I'm thankful for the people in my life and the things that make me who I am. I'm thankful for the beauty of nature, the power of music, and the love of people I come into contact with. I'm thankful for delicious food. I'm thankful for opossums that freak me out and force me to be more careful next time.

Here are some pieces of Parker. A mishmash of people I love and things I enjoy. What has impacted my life. People and things I'm thankful for.


























Peanut butter and jelly nice cream. Delicious. Recipe soon.





 


 I love all of you, pictured and not pictured, and I'm so happy to have been impacted by you. I look forward to new experiences and time spent with each of you. I hope this serves as a reminder to myself and others to appreciate what's around us. Breathe it in. Don't take things for granted, as cliché as that is. Be aware. Be vigilant. Don't panic too much when things go awry. Let's surround ourselves with beauty. Let's make the most of life and seize the day, and be a little more careful while doing so.

Photo credits:  Parker Carls, Fred Monger, Carrie Carls, Vanessa Bolen, Leona Schnake, Allison Wilson



Comments

  1. UnknownJune 12, 2016 at 2:46 PM

    Parker, so very thankful that you (and possum) are ok! Your advice is spot on - and all things that I follow every day during my long drive to work and back home. Always expect the unexpected - I have had innumerable encounters with critters both large and small, each with a unique outcome. Some have left a lasting impression on my vehicle, all have left a lasting impression on me...

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