My favorite moment in my life happened February 7, 2023. This is the day I had a near-death experience that profoundly changed my perspective on life. I was laying on the operating table, feeling a wave of panic as I couldn’t inhale or exhale. In that moment, I surely thought that my time was over and that I would never see my loved ones again. Suddenly, I passed out and went somewhere beyond the bounds of my earthly existence. With a massive blood clot between my lungs. The doctors said they had better results if the patient stayed awake, so I went with that option. About 30 minutes after the start, I was really feeling horrible. I was having trouble getting a breath, at this time, I experienced PEACE, TOTAL PEACE like I had never known before. It enveloped me, washing away all fears and worries, transcending the chaos of my thoughts. It was an overwhelming sense of serenity that I will never forget, a stark contrast to the medical environment I had just left behind. I find myself reflecting on this experience frequently, and I look forward to experiencing this PEACE, TOTAL PEACE after my time on this earth is over, knowing now that there is a beauty in the unknown that goes beyond life itself.
This is the day I dodged death. I was standing in front of death’s door, and Doctor Death was holding the door open for me to enter, beckoning me with a chilling smile. Surprise! I survived! The moments that followed were surreal, almost dreamlike, as I wrestled with the reality of my existence. I found out later that the survival rate of that type of clot is only 3 to 5 percent, making my escape feel like a miracle. I beat the odds and emerged from that harrowing experience with a newfound appreciation for life. Now, I have experienced over 2 1/2 years of bonus years on this earth, filled with laughter, adventure, and moments I never thought I’d take for granted again. Waking up each day has transformed into one of my favorite moments, a celebration of existence where every sunrise is a reminder of my strength and resilience. Each breath I take is infused with gratitude, pushing me to make the most of this unexpected lease on life.