My Story: What If......

     I almost decided not to go to the doctor on Monday morning, September 12, 2005.   What if I didn't?  I wouldn't be here today!  My mom & dad would have outlived two of their children.  Less than a year earlier, my only sister, Lynne, lost her battle to cancer.  I would have died of a heart attack!
     Being a very stubborn 46 year old man, I was ignoring the slight flutters I was having with my heart beat.  It had gone on all weekend, but was going away.  I felt fine.  
     After working the graveyard shift as the night manager at a local grocery store with no symptoms any more, I almost went home.  But to make my parents and my son happy, I decided to visit my family doctor at 8:30 am.  The next thing I know, I'm at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, having an emergency angioplasty!  
     They saved my life that day!  
     I was in very good shape before I went to the hospital.  As a matter of fact, I had just completed a run around Stone Mountain on Saturday morning.  That's 5 miles!  Not bad for a 46 year old.  On Monday morning, I was told that it had been 48 hours since I had my heart attack!  Thus the heart flutters.  What if.....
     Needless to say, I am very thankful to have reached my 60th birthday a few months ago.  If anyone has gone through what I did, you know how I feel.  I'm in good health, I've learned how to be patient and deal with stress, and I am more grateful than ever to be here.
     What if I had not gone to the doctor that morning 14 years ago.  I wouldn't have met my wonderful wife Ellena and her 6 year old son, Joshua, who is about to graduate from high school.  I wouldn't be a proud daddy again.  My almost 10 year old, Jacob, keeps me young as ever.  I have beautiful grandchildren now.  I got to celebrate the lives of my mom, dad, and my brother Eddie, who influenced so many people.  
     That's why I enjoy sharing memories with my friends and family.  I feel so blessed!                 
     I'm still here, so I am going to do everything I can to carry on my family tradition.  Giving back to the community by sharing my knowledge and passion for the game of baseball.  
     That's my story....now let's play ball!