Dares And Challenges

During the last few weeks I have had a lot of time to think about the past, and what I've done in my past. I've also thought about what David (my cousin that wears a badge and carries a gun, who is currently in the hospital facing possible paralysis due to a car accident) and I have done together in the past. I have mentioned a few stories on here, and have a lot more that either wouldn't sound as funny if you read them, or they are just plain out right crazy, and you would shudder at what two idiots would think of to do. He and I were the original "Rednecks". You don't dare a Redneck to do anything, because it's really not a dare. It's a challenge. With David and I, challenges and dares were common place. At times cars were involved, along with trucks, guns, alcohol, women and many other things that I can't remember. We NEVER used drugs or destroyed any persons property maliciously or by intent. The worst illegal offense that I can think of was probably speeding, and back in the day, we probably drove to Allsups late at night to get a burrito after we had been drinking. No, we weren't Saints, but we weren't that bad either. The last year our grandfather was alive, our parents wouldn't let us stay with him over the summer together (I had just turned 16, and David was 6 months behind me at 15). I had to stay with one of our uncles, and David stayed with our grandparents, but before a  week was over, we were both back together at our grandparents house. We were inseparable through those years, and for many years after. Only for a period of about 5 years during one of his marriages were we ever apart for more than a few months, without seeing each other at least for a weekend. During those times together, we usually found something to do, or something to occupy our time. Never staying still for very long.

David was active, if you could keep him away from the front of a TV. Later on in years, his health slowed him some, but he still kept a pretty good pace most of the time. I was no different, except for the TV. When I hit my 40s, I also slowed my pace quite considerably. Our dares and challenges also slowed, but if one came up that involved less strenuous activity, either of us would surely jump at the opportunity to prove ourselves worthy. I asked him one time, "What has hurt you more than anything in life". I was thinking physical pain, and he replied "losing my mother to cancer, and watching her die". I never thought about the fact that he physically hurt over his mom passing away. 

If I was asked today what scared me most in life so far. My answer would be "David breaking his neck and going through the possibility of being paralyzed for the rest of his life". It has made me think of "what could have happened" more than once. Last week while driving down to Houston I took a picture of the speedometer and I was driving WAY over the speed limit. In my mind I was thinking, brand new tires, big truck, confidence in my driving skills, David is gonna think this is cool when I show him the picture. What I should have been thinking was, my wife and friend was with me, blow out, other drivers, possible paralysis, and many other possible scenarios which made what I was doing pretty damn stupid. How quickly I had forgotten what I was headed to Houston for in the first place.

I promise to my friends and family, with your help, that I will be better in the future. I want to see my grand children. I want to hold my grand children. I want to feel the warmth of my wife next to me in bed every night. I want to work. I want to be able to ride in my Jeep. I want to be able to walk and run. All the things I take for granted, I want to be able to do for the rest of my life. 

I, in no way mean to intend that David had this accident on purpose, or that he or I tried to intentionally hurt ourselves. My intent is to inform you that I will be taking a different look at our dares and challenges in the future. Davids life is now full of challenges that neither one of us ever expected to face. He has always been strong, both mentally and physically. I have no doubt that he will remain so during the challenge that awaits him.

When I get up in the mornings and I don't want to go to work, or I feel like life has dealt me a bad hand for the day, I will think of a phrase that I have used on here before. One that I get reminded of from time to time. I hope that you will use it also. "I don't HAVE to, I GET to".