On August 16, 1977, the day Elvis Presley died, I almost died too.
I was fifteen, riding my bike to football practice. When the light turned green, I pedaled into the road. A driver ran the red light and hit me.
Six more inches, and I could have been killed.
My bike was crushed. My hand was smashed. My leg was badly bruised. But I was alive, with zero broken bones.
I felt like someone had pulled me away from danger. After that, I started reading the Bible and believed my guardian angel had saved me.
At first, I was thankful. Then… I grew angry. I missed weeks of football. I wanted the driver to pay for what I had lost.
Dad listened. “People make mistakes,” he said. “You will too. You’re okay. It could have been so much worse.”
Insurance paid for my bike and medical bills. But Dad gave me something worth far more: a lesson in forgiveness.
His Catholic faith helped him see what mattered. I had my life back. I’d almost lost everything.
Nearly fifty years later, I remember that lesson. A rough, honest comeback with a pat on the shoulder, from someone who cared for me.
Men of virtue in our lives can teach us much about how to conduct ourselves as a father, employer, friend, or mentor.
Think of the men who taught you faith, courage, and love. Thank God for them. Maybe this post is your invite to become someone like that.
Are you that man in someone else’s life today?
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The Day I Almost Met Elvis: Revenge and Money Would Have Been Nice.
On August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley was found dead on his bathroom floor. His seemingly sudden death stunned America. He was only 42, and one of the biggest music icons in the world.
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