Posted April 13, 2009 in Blog, Philosophy 101, Uncategorized
We are saddened by the untimely, shocking, and tragic deaths this week of promising Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart, 22 and his friends 20-year old Courtney Frances Stewart and 25-year old Henry Pearson. They were killed by a drunken motorist shortly after midnight. Nick had earlier pitched his best game of his young major league career. Another drunk driver has taken innocent, young lives with their bright futures in front of them.
As a resident physician at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center in the 80’s, all too often we went to the operating room after midnight in an effort to save the lives of victims of drunk driver accidents. “Why is it that the drunk usually comes out unscathed while the pregnant mom and her young child die?” we’d ask ourselves over and over again, far too many nights.
Now as a parent what do I tell my children? The same thing that my fellow residents concluded years ago, “NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT”. Please be home before 12:00 am. Cinderella’s fairy godmother had it right when she insisted that Cinderella be back before the clock struck 12. If only their cars and coaches turned to pumpkins.
By necessity, many of us do find ourselves driving on the road late at night or in the early morning hours. At those times it is important to remember what one of my wisest head and neck surgery professors always preached in the operating room, “Keep your eyes open and be focused at all times, it’s what you don’t see coming that will get you”. In other words, please watch out for those crazy, drunk drivers that seem to come out or nowhere to take too many lives before their time, especially late at night and in the early morning hours.
Our prayers go out to the family and friends of the victims of drunk drivers. In the case of Nick, Courtney, and Henry may their souls be bound to eternal life. We will miss you, and all that would have followed from your lives.
