I woke up this morning, like everyone else reading this I'm sure, to the news of the incident that occurred last night during SXSW and like everyone, I immediately felt sorry for those involved. The two people that were killed on the scene, the people injured, and the driver of the car. The lives of these people and their families will never ever be the same based on one major decision.
A lot of times, when there's an accident which claims the like of someone and not of someone else, there is a phenomenon, for lack of better words, that occurs called survivors guilt. The more I tried to empathize with those involved last night, the more I wondered what must be happening for them and their families, the more I started empathizing with the driver of that car.
I am not here to condone his actions, that's not the point of why I'm writing. I am writing today out of my survivors guilt from all of those times I jumped carelessly behind the wheel of a car and drove home after "a few drinks", even the three times I ended up behind bars for my actions. I am writing as a free man when just a few wrong turns later and I could be facing multiple capital murder charges.
I am lucky...and I know it and will admit it freely. I am lucky in the regards that all of those times that I was careless with my life and those of the people - many times friends - around me, that I never hurt anyone physically. I was reckless and careless and I feel that I owe everyone an apology again.
I wanted to originally write something about the dangers of drinking and driving, but then I didn't want to feel like a hypocrite. Long and short is, I was lucky. I. Was. Lucky. With drinking and driving there are no winners, only survivors.
I get asked all of the time whether or not I'll drink again and the tough of doing so honestly makes me ill sometimes. This morning was one of those times and I didn't even need the question to be asked of me.
So here's my pledge to anyone reading this: Save this phone number in your phone- (972)415-5984 - That's my cell phone number. Before you think about driving anywhere, give me a call and I'll pick you up. You can buy me a taco or coffee or something, I don't care. Just don't drive after drinking, it's not worth it, and it really doesn't take much to ruin a lot of lives when you combine the two.
I love you all and am always thankful for the support given me by everyone. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day.
