A Hallway of Filled Emotions

Over the past couple of days, my mind has been plagued by a friend's son. He was in a very bad car accident this week. Tonight while hanging out with some friends, one of them gave us an update. I asked what hospital he was in and it ended up being the same one Michael had frequented. He told us the exact area and I immediately shouted, "I know that area all too well!" Sad, I know.

Following the conversation, my head started churning. I thought back over all the times I walked up and down the hallway to and from the ICU. Waiting for the clock to strike a certain time to go visit and talk to the doctors and nurses about the prognosis. I know the feeling that my friend's family is going through and how they are clinging on to faith and hope to keep their son alive. Those feelings really never go away. Well, for me they didn't.

I ended up knowing every short cut there was to and from different areas of the hospital. It seemed like I lived or worked there as much as I visited. I use to be afraid of hospitals. I got more comfortable as much as Michael went in and out, but now that he is gone, my fear has come back. I had surgery back in October and when I went in all I could think of was Michael laying in the hospital bed dying and that isn't the way I wanted to start my surgery out. However, my fear was quickly sedated by the "night night" juice they gave me.

Hopefully, my friend's family and their son will make it out and a short stint in physical therapy will get him back to 100 perfect. Michael's exits were never that easy. He would have to continue to struggle on a daily basis and try his hardest to overcome his alcohol addiction, which ruled his life. The suffering was sometimes unbearable for him and for his family to see. He thought he could do it on his own and that wasn't reality.  

Life isn't easy. If you or someone you know needs help seek it. There is no harm in asking someone for guidance. There are people out in this world that want to help others get better. If you need to know where to go ask. Don't be afraid. As Eminem raps,

"I'm not afraid
To take a stand
Everybody
Come take my hand
We'll walk this road together, through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Just letting you know that, you're not alone
Holla if you feel like you've been down the same road"