Today is the twenty day of June and last night I again had a very close encounter with a near death experience.
Yesterday after working on proof reading βIt shall come to passβ a book I had written and sent in to be published. I get into these writings as a bird dog goes after a scient. I become part and my mind is so involved that at some point I find myself overextended mentally that I am exhaustedΒ and have to take a break. Having reached that point yesterday I went to the beach and sat at the table known by those in this area as the βAss hole tableβ. Please excuse this but it is not my term it is known here and most know of this table.
Taking two beer out of my fridge and getting onto my scooter I went to this table to relax and just watch the ocean waves hit heΒ beach.
When I arrived, there were no friends there but I sat at the table and drankΒ both beer. A friend who owns the cafΓ©/bar Montana is his name, and he has let the cafΓ©/bar sub rented to another. So now all he does is rent out the rooms that are part of this, but his time is spent making beer. Now he has gone on to making Rum and while setting at the table he walked over and set a shot glass in front of me and said taste this and tell me what you think it is from my first batch.
I took that shot glass down in one swallow and the fire from hell took my breath away. It made my false teeth float. I had tasted white lightening many times and never lost that taste . 151 Rum is strong and I had drank that, but this was totally beyond that. Other friends showed and Montana went back and got a bottle of this that was not quite so strong and was sharing it with those at the table that joined us. I sat as the table drinking and rum and beer until I felt I had to much and only had a block or two to get home but my scooter was on the other side of the road from the table.
I got up lightheaded and started across the road looking left for coming traffic, seeing none and stepping down off the curb before crossing the road my balance not being very good caused me to pause and catch myself. Had I taken that one more step I would have been history. A car I had not saw came by like a freight train almost hitting me as I stood there. He was going way to fast, and he came so close to me that it took my breath away.
Traffic here should be 25 miles per hour, but this guy went past as a train would. That step saved my life. No doubt whatsoever. When I got home I was still in shock as to how close I cameΒ to death. We are about to publish my book on near death experiences called βCheckmateβ and I wonder if I should not put this on the back page to show that I am still protected to this day.
A Messenger,
Verl K.
Verl,
Your story had a profound impact on me. I read it very carefully, and the first thing that came to mind was how extraordinarily powerful your mind is. You immerse yourself so deeply in your writing, your thoughts, your books, and your search for answers that sometimes it seems as though time does not exist for you. In your mind, you are still exploring the world with the curiosity, energy, and determination of a young man.
But my brother, there is something that concerns me.
Sometimes I feel that your mind forgets that your body is 83 years old. Your spirit still wants to run at full speed, but your body no longer has the same reflexes, balance, or margin for error. A young man can make a mistake and often walk away unharmed. At 83, the same mistake can have permanent consequences.
I have always believed that the mind is stronger than the body. In fact, you are living proof of that. Your books, your ideas, your curiosity, and your ability to reinvent yourself all demonstrate it. But even the most powerful mind in the world cannot negotiate with a car traveling at full speed.
As I read your story, I thought of a young man whose father hands him the keys to a powerful car for the first time. Excitement takes over, he presses the accelerator, and takes off at 200 kilometers per hour. The feeling of freedom is wonderful, but the danger is just as real.
You write about near-death experiences, consciousness, and the mysteries that exist beyond this life. I deeply respect that search. But honestly, I would rather read about those experiences in your books than learn that you ended up having one because of a few beers, some extremely strong rum, and a ride home on a scooter.
Perhaps that step that caused you to stop was divine protection. Perhaps it was luck. Perhaps it was simply a warning.
But whatever the reason, the message seems very clear to me:
Life is not a game for adolescents.
You still have books to finish, stories to tell, and many conversations ahead with those of us who care about you.
Take good care of yourself, my brother.
A big hug,
Pedro
Pedro you are a blessing to me from God. i thank you for your writings and kindness. As to the age of this soul one has to keep in mind that all is only revelant to something else. If i were to live my life by my age at what point would i set down and say enough is enough? Where is the ending? No one on this earth is imune to the disasters or the love. I try to live my life with happyness and joyful things. Because of you i find many joyful and rewarding things to dwell upon. I truly belive life is ment to share and give to others. When one gives as you give to me the reward is not a thing we can speak of it is not a thing we can feel it is just; that it is. FAnny writes to me and ask me not to spend money on this building she tells me look at what i wasted in Colombia. I say because of my over spending as she thinks of it she now has a better home, with things necessary for a happy life. I spennt what was gave to me freely and i returned it freely. i now have a woman, a new family, new friends, web site i hand not before, wrote stories in a blesant atomosphere and felt alive in all ways. Was that an over spending? Why must we limit ourselves to a card board box to live in when God offers so much more. I thank you for being there for me.
Verl K.
My dear friend Verl,
Your words touched my heart. I believe you are absolutely right when you say that life should not be measured by years, but by our ability to keep dreaming, building, and sharing with others.
I do not see your experiences in Colombia as excessive spending. I see them as an investment in lives, friendships, memories, and love. Money comes and goes, but the impact we leave on people remains. Because of your time in Colombia, you found new friends, built meaningful relationships, wrote new stories, and gained a new family. Those things cannot be measured in dollars.
God blesses us so that we may bless others, and throughout your life you have done exactly that. Your article about the Heber Valley Gun Club reminded me that the greatest dreams become reality when faith is joined with action.
Thank you for your friendship, your trust, and for sharing such an important part of your journey with me. I am honored to call you my friend.
Sending you a warm hug from Cartagena. May God continue to guide your steps and fill your days with purpose, joy, and peace.
Your friend,