Same as ever…

The book titled Same as Ever, by Morgan Housel is getting a second read by me this weekend. I need reminders. In the book Morgan argues much of life (as much as it has changed) is in reality the same as ever. His opening chapter, titled Hanging by a Thread is all about our fragility as humans. All our days are numbered, we just don’t know when times up – same as ever. And, we all (if you live long enough) will have MOT (moments of truth), some of which are literally life and death. Fact.

I’ve had three such MOT.

2008. Mountain 8. Breckinridge, Colorado. Flying down the mountain on a single track trail and faced (of course unexpectantly, I was a dumbASS) with a woman serpentining the trail. In a split second I had to decide to either t-bone her at high speed or avoid her and fly off the trail. My last memory of that day was enjoying (for a brief second or two) the feeling of weightlessness as I literally flew off the trail and my feet left the pedals.

2019. Mont Cenis. France. Our last climb of nine days complete. We descend into Italy for a pic and then we head for a cold one. As we approach the first switchback, I pull hard on both brake levers. Nothing. Gone. Swerve left to miss the car. Make the turn. Look for a place to lay it down. There is off the mountain – certain death. The other option is into the mountain – slower death most likely. Stay upright. Bike wobbling from speed. Push knees into top tube. Make the next turn. Car in turn, must go left into traffic. Two motorcycles coming at me. Split them. So, I do. Look to lay it down again. No bueno. Make the next and there’s a slight uphill with gravel parking to the right. Pull in and allow the stones to slow me down. They do. I put my feet on the ground and take a deep breath – that was a close one.

2021. Cycling with Grappy and the boys. I’ve written about this story so won’t bother repeating it all. Had a heart attack while riding and didn’t know it. Grappy and Brother Mick saved me as well as master docs at St. Ann’s Hospital. The cardiologist (next day) told me I was one in a million. He said the heart attack was a one in a million freak show and my surviving one in a million too. We’re all hanging by a thread…

So, friend, Carpe diem. Thanks, God, for this morning. I pray to make this day count with family, friends, clients, and anyone else you place in my path. This moment is a gift – that’s why it’s call the present. Thanks, God, for giving each of us a bounty of gifts. God, help us all slow down and notice more of them, more of you, and give grace to each other as you so generously shower Grace over us all. God, help me remember we’re all hanging by a thread. Amen.

Live hard. Love ❤️ harder. Much harder…