The Mission in the Storm
In September 2025, I was in Florida during a brutal season of storms—Debby, Helene, and Milton. I was there to help. At 6:30 AM on September 28th, I walked to the corner for coffee. I ended up buying breakfast and cigarettes for three people who asked for help because I wanted to make sure they were taken care of.
The 40MPH Wall
As I left the store, I was hit by a vehicle traveling 40MPH. I died right there on the pavement. I lost my phone, my consciousness, and nearly my life. The police were on the scene for five days investigating what happened to me. I spent two days in a coma and 34 days in the hospital. My body was shattered: a broken groin, ribs, jaw, collarbone, and a cracked skull. My vertebrae shifted, pinning my sciatic nerve—a pain that follows me into my truck every single night.
My North Star: My Daughter
Through the coma and the long months of learning to walk again with a limp, one person stayed on my mind: my daughter. She is 20 years old and my absolute world. She is hard-working, drug-free, and a college student who has excelled at every turn. I survived that accident because I’m not done being her father. Every choice I make to stay clean, despite the sciatic pain and the daily headaches, is for her. I want her to know that my love for her brought me back from the edge.
The Strength to Stay Clean
I’m writing this from my truck tonight. I’ve died six times, but I’ve been brought back for a reason. I was hit while doing a good deed, but I refuse to let that make me bitter. I am clean, I am praying, and I am still here.
What about you?
Have you ever felt like life hit you with everything it had just as you were finally doing the right thing? Have you ever had a moment that felt like a “sign” to keep going?
I’m still here, still clean, and still fighting. I’d love to hear your story. Please leave a comment below and let’s encourage each other.
Sorry to hear you had to go through this physical pain but proud you stayed on your recovery path. My story isn’t about physical pain but mental pain almost leading me out of recovery. My best friend, who I called Brother from another Mother, overdosed from Heroin addiction and died. I vowed to stay clean but almost spiraled out of control, until my mom said “I will not have my son die like my sister did.” I almost forgot that my Aunt overdosed and died from heroin when I was 17. Just like my friend when I was 35. That was my sign, 11 words from my Mom. I followed the signs direction and I am at the age of 50 still clean and sober today because of the sign(mom) and an Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Center..Stay focused and if you need rehab make sure you get help for your addiction. I pray healing over your body and mind that you will stay in recovery, no matter how much pain you are in.
Frank, thank you for sharing that. It’s heavy to hear about the losses you’ve endured—your friend and your aunt—but it’s a testament to your strength that you turned that pain into a vow. Those 11 words from your mother didn’t just save your life; they changed the legacy of your family. I truly appreciate the prayers for my healing. Knowing there are brothers like you out there who have walked through the fire and stayed clean for 8 years gives me even more fuel to keep going. Stay strong, brother.