I have shared before a little more of my family history and the “father” wounds passed down in my family.
I also previously mentioned a plane crash and how it was the first sign my life needed a course-correction.
Collision course
I joined the Georgia Tech Flying Club in college, got my private pilot’s license and, as a young aviator, planned to fly several friends from Atlanta to Houston for a classmate’s wedding.
While I had trained over and over what to do in the event of engine failure and the procedure if an emergency landing is required, you just never know how you’ll respond in the moment.
The night we took off for the wedding turned out to be my moment and, by the grace of God, I was able to crash land in grass alongside a freeway. Everyone was safe — escaping with only minor injuries — except me.
Finding happiness in a hospital
I had broken my back and underwent two spinal operations, followed each time by full body casts. These surgeries left me in intense pain and continued paralysis.
Thankfully, a third, somewhat risky surgery called a spinal fusion was successful. But I still had a long recovery ahead. Two months later, still in a body cast at the hospital, I had a revelation.
It was Christmas Day, I was all alone, watching my favorite movies on TV, and I was happy!
I felt a powerful sense of relief. Nobody could expect anything of me. I didn’t need to worry about disappointing anyone — especially my father, for whose business I was working as an executive at age 22.
Just how much weight I was carrying on my young shoulders wouldn’t become clear for 25 more years…stay tuned for more.