What I will share with you today is a true event that occurred on Wednesday evening May 11th, 2022. I will only use first names to document this incident as I did not obtain permission from everyone present to write this Blog. However, it affected me greatly, so much so I could not write about it in my journal until two days later.

For the past 12 years every Wednesday evening, I have gathered with a group of friends to play Screw Your Neighbor. Alright, y’all get your minds out of the gutter, it is a card game, lol. The group is comprised of nine people, seven Puerto Ricans, (6 men, one female), one Mexican female, and me, a Black female. We are rarely all there at one time, for various reasons. For the most part, we have 5-6 members attending, which makes for a great game. I am the newest member of the group.

The host Pete provides beer and snacks and the rest of us bring a bottle of our favorite vino to share, as well as water if we so choose. At times, Elena and I will bring a delicious snack that we have made or purchased. The goal of the game is to win by eliminating other players. When you reach 350 points you are out!

Halfway through the game, we take a break, consume whatever snack we have for the evening, and discuss various topics. This past Wednesday, Elena brought a delicious lemon pound cake she had purchased. It was light, moist, and melted in your mouth.

As the game was coming to an end with three of the six players eliminated, we took a second break. Pete brought out some light snack crackers that were lightly seasoned. They were absolutely yummy! During the conversation that took place someone said something really funny, without thinking about the crackers I was then swallowing, I attempted to respond.

Needless to say, I started to choke on the crackers I had been eating. I was able to cough up most of them, along with the wine that was in my stomach at the time. Someone grabbed a basket as the projectile came up and out. For a minute I thought everything was fine and I attempted to speak.

I froze as I realized a piece of a cracker lodged in my larynx was preventing me from breathing. I managed to squeak out “I can’t breathe” I was panicking until I realized I needed to demonstrate the universal sign of not being able to breathe. I quickly placed my hand on my throat to signal I could not breathe.

During that time, which seemed like forever, thoughts of my demise clouded my brain. I thought OMG, I am going to die, I thought about my children and other family members. How would they feel upon hearing the news? I thought of close friends, the man I loved, and about my life. What had I accomplished, what had I done in this lifetime, and what would be my legacy?

All of that flew through my mind in only what could be seconds. Ray, a retired fireman, quickly acted and performed the Heimlich maneuver. After a few thrusts, I was able to eject the piece of cracker that had nearly cost me my life. I sat dazed as I realized my life could have ended in a short period of time.

Thank God, Ray was there like everyone else present at that time, panicked. My throat was sore for a while but felt much better before I left. I took the opportunity, after recovering to educate everyone to learn the Heimlich maneuver, I for one can testify it can save someone’s life.

For days and still today, I thought about my near-death experience. Of course, I can never forget it. Now, the question that comes to mind is, what is my true purpose? I have done some things in my life that I am truly proud of, but am I doing everything I was placed on this earth to do?

That will be my quest for the remaining days on this earth. Being on the edge of the end of my life has made me think about things quite differently. I will strive to achieve my life’s purpose from here until the end of my life.

Until next time,

Peace, Love, and Blessings 💖