Miracles Are All Around You

At the time I was working at Scottsdale Public Library part time, I think I was a library page. I was going to school at ASU full time. I lived in a little apartment near Papago Park, close to Oak Street and 52nd, in Phoenix.

I owned a 1978 Kawasaki 350, which was my only means of transportation. It was one of 3 Motorcycles I would own during those youthful years. It was a pretty good ride, and living in Phoenix Arizona poor weather days were rare, so it was pretty reliable.

Sometimes I would wear my helmet, sometimes I wouldn't. It was not a law at that time in Phoenix, so it was a hit or miss thing. I did pick up my helmet and wear it one fall day, back in the early 80's.

This particular evening, I had got off work at the Civic Center Library, and it was that twilight hour, just as the sun was going down. I had turned on to to Thomas, west bound. Some big Lincoln pulled out of Gas Station directly in front of me without seeing me at all.

My experience on my years of street biking was that the rider (yeah, me) was more or less invisible to cars. Car and truck drivers did not expect me, and therefore could not see me. I had learned to think fast and always expect the unexpected.

But I did not expect the Lincoln Towncar directly in front of me. I had barely even tried to brake as I plowed into the side of it. I actually flew over the hood of the Lincoln and landed on the other side...head first.

Miracle one, that I was even wearing my helmet.

But I was hurting, immobile. Someone called 911, I don't know who. Some lady nurse was at the gas station and saw the entire thing. She was one of the first people on the scene. She would tell me later that what she saw and heard and led her to believe that my accident could be fatal. She said she saw the bone in my forearm was exposed, bleeding. She said she saw me land head first, over the top of the Towncar. She told me that she said a prayer over me. I heard all this when she came to the hospital to check on me later that night.

I had on a down jacket, I remember seeing feathers all over the place. It was a comical image that still makes me smile to this day.

The paramedics came and cut off the jacket, immobilized me and sent me to Scottsdale Memorial.

After XRAYS and examinations, it was confirmed...nothing at all was wrong with me. Not even one broken bone. My Care, from the paramedics to the ER staff was at all times professional and caring. I felt safe and in the best hands at all times.

Miracle two. Or Three...(do I count the nurse who was there on the scene, the good Samaritan...the prayers?). Nothing. Outside of soreness, stiffness, some bruises and contusions...there was nothing at all wrong with me.

The curbside nurse who came in to visit said she could not understand how my arm was not broken in the least. She told me that it must have had healed itself. I can not dispute or confirm or deny...I was only barely conscious.I only know what she told me.

I still have a scar and a dent in the arm where she said she saw the bone. My motorcycle was totalled in the accident. My helmet had a dent in it where my head hit the pavement, it too was never usable again. The bike and the helmet were done. I had lots of soreness and had to go stay with my Mom and sister for about a week...but outside of that...nothing else was wrong.

I do believe in Miracles. I don't know for sure that one happened to me that day, but maybe. I do believe that there are good Samaritans and angels out there...I met more than one that day, and I have met others over time.

There are strangers that I owe my life too, so if people ask me if I think people are basically good or basically bad...I am a half full guy. You can see that I have my reasons.

Oh, and nurse lady...good Samaritan...and all you Scottsdale paramedics and ER workers out there...keep doing what you are doing. The world needs to know that there are people like you out there.

Cheers...nca