Saturday evening Vicki and I had dinner with some friends that we have known for a number of years.  In 1988 I was headed home from an off duty assignment when I came upon a horrible accident involving a car versus motorcycle in Phoenix.  I did not realize the motorcycle was a police motorcycle and the Sergeant involved was Gary.

The paramedics had not arrived and the Sergeant was severely injured in fact, I thought he was dead.  As the paramedics arrived they worked very hard to save Gary and rushed him to the local hospital where he was treated and hospitalized.  Gary was told he would never walk or talk or even be able to see again because the accident caused him to receive a severe head injury.  

In 1989 while dating Vicki, I began to visit the church where Vicki was attending and to my surprise I saw Gary and his wife Jan. I was so excited to see that God had allowed this man to walk again and restore his vision and realized what a positive attitude he had toward life.  Through the years we became good friends. Gary retired and moved to Colorado and we continued to maintain the friendship through the years. 

When ever we would talk with Gary and ask him how he was doing he always answered with a long positive saying. Gary would always see the positive in all the things he did or even situations we shared with each other. I learned that Gary had not only been involved in the accident I saw but that was his third accident and God had been working in strong ways through Gary.  After many years and visits, we eventually lost track of each other however we never stopped thinking about our families. 

Fast forward to this Christmas.  We received a card in the mail from Gary and Jan and the card had their contact information.  We were able to reconnect and catch up on the lost time.  Sadly we found out that Gary has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and the disease is very aggressive.  Jan told us that Gary would still recognize us however he might not put the name to the face.

Gary and Jan were passing through visiting family and we were able to see each other Saturday evening.  It really hurts seeing someone you have known to know through a tragic accident and consider one you love and care very much for to suffer from such a disease. Gary was very animated as he was in the past however he reminded me of the movie character Rainman. Gary kept saying over and over to me, Vicki and Jan, "So what do you think Jan" and various other little phrases.  Gary was still positive despite the illness and really made me think about the quality of life that he is living and will this be the last time we see Gary?

Why is it we take life for granted and think our friends are disposal or throw our loved ones to the curb while we pursue other avenues at the cost of friendships or saying or doing hurtful things to each other?

Gary taught me a long time ago about being positive and living life as if today is the last breath you might take.  We can not continue to say or do hurtful things to each other and claim to love Jesus or claim that all is well within our soul if we are not loving our neighbor like He commanded. 

I know that Gary recognized us last evening and even though he was struggling, he kept smiling and kept us thinking as we sat with each other.  As we left we shook hands and hugged each other like we always did.  Gary even said "some day I will be better than I ever was".  WOW....what an attitude. 

Thanks Gary and may God be with you and Jan.