Thursday, April 3, 2008

I Authored The Irony Before It Was Written On My Face


I took a bit of a tumble while riding mi caballo today. I was riding from our apartment to Cal Baptist for one of my masters classes and, as you may surmise from the photo, I had to take a detour to the hospital. I was wearing a helmet for most of the way (something I hate, and just started doing this week), but it was making me pretty hot and sweaty. So a couple blocks from the university I stopped and took off my helmet. I figured I'd sort of cool down over the last couple blocks and not walk into class looking like I got stuck in a rain storm. Just after I had put the helmet in my backpack and started gaining speed, I noticed some severely uneven pavement across the length of the bike lane. I couldn't go left because there were cars next to me, and I couldn't go right because there was a curb, so I was forced to ride straight over it. Unfortunately, it was a little too steep. My bike flipped straight over and I was attached to it. Three cars behind me pulled over (one was the drama teacher at the school at which I teach) and they were very helpful. They gave me a towel and stayed with me until Jenny got there to drive me to the hospital. I got some stiches in my forehead. The lady who was driving behind me did a very good job of not running me over. She said the crash looked pretty bad and that my head was the first thing to hit the ground. Thank God for the tough Dutch skull. Jenny was laughing at me because she said I seemed almost giddy even when she first saw me all banged up. The reason is because I realize how much worse it could have been. I didn't break any bones, I didn't knock out or chip any teeth, I didn't smash my head open, and most importantly, I didn't get run over. As I was about to hit the ground I remember thinking about how there were cars right next to me and I needed to get out of the road. The woman who saw my head hit the ground also said that I seemed to bounce right up and walk onto the sidewalk.
It seems that whenever God needs to remind me about the uncertainty of life and the importance of serving Him only, He chooses to literally smack me on the head (a few years ago I hydroplaned and totalled my car). Theory doesn't seem to affect me very much. I start to get callous even when I know the truth. Therefore, I end up at the hospital surrounded by doctors who talk about how "lucky" I am. At that point I realize that I've been wasting too many hours and sense the importance of living every moment for the glory of God. I wish I wasn't an idiot and that it didn't take scars to make me take life seriously. Hopefully it will stick this time. The fact is, the next time might be a consequence rather than a lesson.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...
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Mrs. Ham said...

You and Chris have ruined it for Thomas! ;)

Thomas Ham said...

damn you chris and mike! i can never get a bike now!

Lauren S. said...

oooh jeez that looks really bad! glad you're ok!

Adrian Martinez said...

Mike. you should just tell everyone what really happened. you ran into me the other day at the park and i didnt like your tone and your lack of respect for me. i gave you fair warning that a swift beating would be yours if you didnt quit running your mouth reckless. you heeded not my warning.

Val. said...

ah geez Mike. I'm glad your face was saved & that you're alright. totally can imagine you giddy after that.

love the title btw.

Thomas Ham said...

is it bad i laugh everytime i look at this? and i've looked at it about 10 times today?

Thomas Ham said...
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la gloria, la gloria, la gloria said...
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la gloria, la gloria, la gloria said...

Hopefully you won't be fooled by those helmets anymore: they breed trouble from what I hear. Helmets are the least of it. It's interesting how it has become. I once talked with someone about how we have come to view much through a barrior of glass or a glowing screen--it has become too "unsafe". We ride around in our quiet, safe little cars with no attunement with what life around us is going about. We've become isolated and now we are right in the midst of surplus value and a wasted Earth.
I know how cute you are all being with these comments, and I can to be cute too. However, being cute curdles the milk.

Zack!!! said...

haha i cant help but to laugh! oh man, worst story, great photo. i do hope you feel better soon, mike.

erin* said...

You should make up a great story to tell your students. Like you fought off a band of criminals or something.

Justin Blomgren said...

What!? haha, oh man, I'm glad your alright. That was an intense crash...haha. I know how you feel though. You should probably start wearing your helmet..or maybe get a bike with some brakes..haha, it was good seeing you the other day