[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-May-02 AT 11:03 AM (EST)]Agony claws my mind. I am a statistic. When I first got here I felt very much alone. I was overwhelmed by grief, and I expected to find sympathy.

I found no sympathy. I saw only thousands of others whose bodies were as badly mangled as mine. I was given a number and placed in a category. The category was called "Traffic Fatalities."

The day I died was an ordinary school day. How I wish I had taken the bus! But I was too cool for the bus. I remember how I wheedled the car out of Mom. "Special favor," I pleaded. "All the kids drive." When the 2:50 p.m. bell rang, I threw my books in the locker ... free until tomorrow morning! I ran to the parking lot, excited at the thought of driving a car and being my own boss.

It doesn't matter how the accident happened. I was goofing off -- going too fast, taking crazy chances. But I was enjoying my freedom and having fun. The last thing I remember was passing an old lady who seemed to be going awfully slow. I heard a crash and felt a terrific jolt. Glass and steel flew everywhere. My whole body seemed to be turning inside out. I heard myself scream.

Suddenly, I awakened. It was very quiet. A police officer was standing over me. I saw a doctor. My body was mangled. I was saturated with blood. Pieces of jagged glass were sticking out all over. Strange that I couldn't feel anything. Hey, don't pull that sheet over my head. I can't be dead. I'm only 17. I've got a date tonight. I'm supposed to have a wonderful life ahead of me. I haven't lived yet. I can't be dead.

Later I was placed in a drawer. My folks came to identify me. Why did they have to see me like this? Why did I have to look at Mom's eyes when she faced the most terrible ordeal of her life? Dad suddenly looked very old. He told the man in charge, "Yes, he's our son."

The funeral was weird. I saw all my relatives and friends walk toward the casket. They looked at me with the saddest eyes I've ever seen. Some of my buddies were crying. A few of the girls touched my hand and sobbed as they walked by.

Please, somebody -- wake me up! Get me out of here. I can't bear to see Mom and Dad in such pain. My grandparents are so weak from grief they can barely walk. My brother and sister are like zombies. They move like robots. In a daze. Everybody. No one can believe this. I can't believe it, either.

Please, don't bury me! I'm not dead! I have a lot of living to do! I want to laugh and run again. I want to sing and dance. Please don't put me in the ground! I promise if you give me just one more chance, God, I'll be the most careful driver in the whole world. All I want is one more chance. Please, God, I'm only 17.

 

That's something that really makes one think how much one moment in time can really affect a lot of loved ones. We did a thing in HS around prom that was similar. A few students were chosen to do this little excersize. Basically they "drank" too much at prom, went driving, and ended up in a fatal accident. The cops arrived, called the ambulances, they were taken to an ER and pronounced dead. they were then sent to the morgue where they were id'ed by their parents. Then a mock funeral was performed. It really had a huge impact with every body. A few of the football players had participated in it. They were on stage telling us about it while crying. This was really touching to realize how much your life means to others, and how your stupid actions can impact everybody. It made me think how valuable my life is to me, and to my loved ones. Remember your friends, family, and kids next tmie you get behind the wheel. Pay attention, be cafeful.

Gary
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1946 pickup-ongoing project
1946 pickup-waiting for resto.
1947 pickup-parts truck
1957 Ford FL 500 Town Victoria
1970 Mustang FB-daily driver
1972 Olds Vista Cruiser-4 sale
1988 Bronco II-for sale

 

I agree all teenagers should read this!But will it sink in ?

HOPE SO

 

odie780, This is a really powerful story. Life is a gift that we must cerish. You can have fun driving without doing it recklessly. I only wish more young people realized this.

 

I drive like the old lady he passed in the story.

 

odie780 that a really powerful message. i read it and fully understood it. the kid in the story is a lot like some of my friends., and other teens that go to my school. i hope they also read this and i hope it sinks in for them too

 

First time I saw this, was a couple
of years before the F100 disappeared
from the product line. You'll have to
think about it...

Steve & the Rockette
'63 F100
'68 F100
'72 Capri 2L
'73 Capri 2.6L V6
'73 MG B GT 2.6L V6(Ford)
'98 Contour SVT 2.5L V6 (Mods)
'01 ZX2 (No Mods yet)

 

Whooo, powerful message....that REALLY made me stop and think considering I get my licence in a month and a half.

 

 

The similarity between this narrative and the general take on a particular music video is surprising. If you have seen Metallica's "One," you may notice the correlation. This first-person story telling on such a subject is fascinating.