6 Minutes Wrestling with Life

You Call This a Storm?

I may not have gone where I intended to go,
But I think that I have ended up
Where I needed to be.

Douglas Adams

October 11th, 2009

When I was a kid, my mom told me the story of Roy Campanella, the Brooklyn Dodgers catcher who became paralyzed in a car crash.

I remember her telling me what the hardest part was for him to deal with during his paralysis.

It was a fly landing on his face.

He could do nothing about it.

It is Sunday morning. I am sitting in church by myself.

A fly lands on my face.

I do nothing. It took no more than four seconds for me to go crazy.

I consider God my friend.

I am mad at my friend right now.

And I do what one does when they are mad at their friend – I stop talking to him.

"A true friend would be there in their friend's time of need.

They wouldn't have to be asked, nearly begged for help," I say to myself knowing God can hear every word.

"What is taking you so long, where are you?"

"I need help."

No answer.

I leave Mass early.

I arrive back home only to find out my father has been admitted to the hospital. He is in the room exactly next door to Jess.

You can't make this stuff up.

"These footprints in the sand sure look like my shoe size...," I say to myself.

"Aren't you supposed to be carrying me?" I sarcastically add.

I drive out towards the hospital.

It is raining.

I am in my truck alone and I yell out, "You call this a storm. It is time for a showdown. I'm right here, come and get me," just like Lieutenant Dan did in Forrest Gump.

I am hurting bad, and my friend has not shown up to help me.