A Second Chance at Life
Last week, I received an unexpected email from an attorney in the state capitol, asking if I was okay. Rumors had been circulating that I had passed away. Before I knew it, calls and emails started pouring in from all directions. It was as if I had become the main topic of conversation.
The Power of Misinformation
I couldn’t help but think of Mark Twain’s famous quote, “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” It’s astonishing how quickly false information can spread, isn’t it? The local newspaper even got wind of it and called my wife, Beverley. Fortunately, she had spoken to me just minutes before, so she was able to set the record straight.
A Reporter’s Disappointment
When I returned the reporter’s call, she seemed relieved to hear that I was indeed alive. But I suspect she was secretly disappointed that she wouldn’t get to write my obituary after all. I decided to have a bit of fun and told her that I had actually died and was calling from heaven, where the reception was excellent. Her response was priceless!
A Sobering Reality
As I continued to return phone calls and respond to messages, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that this whole ordeal had given me a wake-up call. What if I had actually passed away? Was I prepared for the afterlife? Had I accomplished everything I wanted to in this life? These questions lingered in my mind long after the initial shock had worn off.
A Legacy Worth Leaving
I thought about Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, who had a similar experience when a French newspaper wrote a premature obituary about him. The article condemned him for his invention, and it’s said that reading his own obituary inspired him to leave a better legacy. I realized that I, too, had the opportunity to polish my own legacy. As the great hymn by Bill Gaither goes, “Between the Cross and Heaven, There’s a Whole Lot of Living to Do.”
A Second Chance
So, what does this experience teach us? It’s a reminder that life is precious, and we never know when our time will come. It’s up to us to make the most of the time we have and to leave a positive impact on the world. I’m grateful for this second chance, and I hope to make the most of it. How about you? How will you live your life?
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