Make sure you kiss the wife and kids when you leave the house...

[=Matt 5.0=]

Last night I experienced an extremely close call. I was wrapping up my last ten stops for the night. It's been well documented at UPS that Friday's are the worst for accident's and injuries because people are in a hurry to get home and start the weekend.

I was working out of the back of the truck, and had to cross the street to bring two boxes to a bakery. I was on a side street off of a pretty busy main road in the city. I looked around the back corner like we are trained, then stepped out into the street because the coast was clear.

Here's where it gets interesting. It all happened in about a nano second. As I stepped out, I saw to my right a white flash. I closed my eyes and tried to halt my forward momentum because I just knew it was over. Without trying to make things any more dramatic, apparently, this "person" was doing about 50mph down this side street. I say "person" because I didn't get a good look at him, but from the expletives that were yelled at me, I'm assuming a "non-white urban youth".

Anyway, in trying to halt my forward stride I ended up tossing the two boxes behind me while trying to turn my body. The two guys at the bakery were out on the sidewalk and they were screaming in Italian at the "person" in the truck as he sped off.

I am still shaken up. Please, tell the wife and kids you love them when you leave the house. I was convinced in that split second that I wasn't going to see my family again....it was that close.

Oh, and the contents of the boxes were coffee cups. They were not damaged in my haste to toss them behind me. But upon reflection, it seems silly to almost get killed over ceramic cups.  :-?

[guitarkid]

Good thing you are okay man.

                         -tumnus

[Grey Wolf]

You had better to thank the man upstaires!!!!!!!!!!

[firefightn15]

I come from a small town of about 1800, and live in the country.  When I drove big truck, especially in Chicago doing inner city curb side delivery, I was always amazed how pedestrians and vehicles could get along in the "jungle" so well without more of the same of what you experienced.  Glad the outcome was a happy one.

Stay safe out there!

[Fisher of Men]

Thanks for sharing that, Matt.  You definitely had someone looking out for you.  I've had some close calls like that several times in my life and than the good Lord above every time.

You are right that we need to live every day as if it were our last.  Thank everyone you can, tell everyone you know that you appreciate or love them, and set the very best example you can.  

God has a plan for you Matt!!  You are blessed!

-Fisher

[fishfordollars]

Glad you are ok. There is a greater plan in store for you.

[snapper G]

All ways do!