Six years ago tonight, everything changed at this intersection. I had worked late that evening before a drunk driver rear-ended me, sandwiching my car between the driver and an F150 in front of me. I visit the crash site each year for a few moments of prayer, gratitude, and reflection. The most important thing I’ve learned through this experience was to change my outlook on the storms and difficulties of life. In the past, I would ask God, “Why did this happen to me?” or “Please Jesus, get me out of this situation.” I’ve learned since then to ask, “God, what do you want me to learn, and how do you want me to grow from this experience?” This belief has changed everything. Today, I am so thankful and blessed.

At the time of the accident, I had no idea how bad the pain would be for 32 months. I was clueless about the hundreds of doctors’ appointments and tens of thousands in medical expenses. Over the next few months, these medical professionals would tell me I am too old and too broken to run marathons and to begin preparing for the “new normal” with spinal stenosis. God had another plan. I didn’t see His plan over the first 12 months, which put me at the lowest, rock bottom spot of my life. Perhaps it was an accumulation of “life” during 2016 and 2017. Over that two-year period, my marriage nearly ended, we spent $15k and 8 months fighting a frivolous lawsuit (we won), I lost a friend who stole thousands from me, survived a cancer scare, and had 3 friends pass away at young ages. On top of that, my employer at the time was acquired by a large DC-based company, and our jobs were in question. I was a hot mess inside a very dark place by December 2018. My anxiety was sky high; I was constantly grinding my teeth and popping Xanax while waiting for the next shoe to drop.

During a tear-filled prayer in my basement, I gave this entire situation to God and trusted the process He put in front of me. I’m thankful to be here. I’m endlessly grateful for my growth and the many doors that have opened since that accident. I serve an amazing God. And shout out to Rachel for her support during my recovery. I was not an easy person to live with during this time. She had to live with all of this, yet she always supported me, no matter how temperamental I was.

In closing, I’ll leave one of my favorite quotes: “Hard work pays off, dreams come true. Bad times don’t last, but bad guys do!” -Scott Hall, 2013.