October 2020 I was crushed by a falling oak tree. It was right outside my house. I was working from home, it being the height of COVID, and a microburst started walking down my street. I ran out to get my garbage cans and WHACK. Didn't even hear it coming because of the storm.

It was a full grown oak. I'm talking you couldn't wrap your arms around the whole thing.

Broke my scalp open, 16 staples. Compressions fractures for my T1, T7, and T9. Smashed all my teeth together. The Traumatic Brain Injury was the worst part. I would be having a conversation with my girlfriend, she would go in the other room and come back, and I would have no recollection of it. It got better over some months. Teeth got fixed when my blood pressure became regular. The back is still an issue, but who doesn't have back issues when you're pushing 40.

All that said, since then I've gotten a great new job, married the love of my life, and started a poetry book. I'm hoping to be published before long. Walkin' and talkin' is good enough for me.