I heard "Don't Go" often as a kid. I never understood why. It was like a rallying cry, in some ways. Or at least, that's how my brain processed it. I would be told "Don't Go" and off I went, Jason Waterfalls, heading on my next adventure.
Often, I didn't know what that adventure would be yet. That was part of what made it exciting. That was part of what changed my life when I was just a teen, involved in a bad accident just as I had finally become old enough to drive. I wasn't listening to my parents, or my friends, and I went out at two in the morning to search for new adventure. Adventure found me.
"Don't Go" they cried, as I left. And next thing I knew, all I saw were headlights coming toward me, and the screech of metal clashing. I was hit by a drunk driver.
In the hospital, they cried again. "Don't go, Jason." I could hear every plea, but I didn't have the strength to respond. At one point, I felt the pull of self doubt. I felt the tug of despair. I was drowning, and I couldn't speak up. I was stuck in a hospital bed for over a month, and I had thoughts of just letting go.
But that's the choice I made, was to fight on. I made a choice to keep pushing, and I made a full recovery. How easy it would have been to give in then, and how lucky I am to have survived at all. Cars were totalled, it was the third drunk driving charge for this man, and he sits in prison to this day. But because of him, because of that time, I now understand the cry -- "Don't Go." Who knows where I would be without that moment, but I know now, I won't go.
Often, I didn't know what that adventure would be yet. That was part of what made it exciting. That was part of what changed my life when I was just a teen, involved in a bad accident just as I had finally become old enough to drive. I wasn't listening to my parents, or my friends, and I went out at two in the morning to search for new adventure. Adventure found me.
"Don't Go" they cried, as I left. And next thing I knew, all I saw were headlights coming toward me, and the screech of metal clashing. I was hit by a drunk driver.
In the hospital, they cried again. "Don't go, Jason." I could hear every plea, but I didn't have the strength to respond. At one point, I felt the pull of self doubt. I felt the tug of despair. I was drowning, and I couldn't speak up. I was stuck in a hospital bed for over a month, and I had thoughts of just letting go.
But that's the choice I made, was to fight on. I made a choice to keep pushing, and I made a full recovery. How easy it would have been to give in then, and how lucky I am to have survived at all. Cars were totalled, it was the third drunk driving charge for this man, and he sits in prison to this day. But because of him, because of that time, I now understand the cry -- "Don't Go." Who knows where I would be without that moment, but I know now, I won't go.
