Monday’s with Mike: A happy Father’s Day, thank goodness

June 18, 2018 • Posted in Mike Knezovich, Mondays with Mike by

Beth wrote about my sinus surgery last week—first, thanks for your thoughtful comments. They cheered me as I breathed through my mouth in pain-reliever land. Second, this surgery went a lot better than it did 21 years ago. (Still, I don’t ever want to do it again.) Third, my Wednesday surgery was the most mundane medical news in our extended family.

Early that morning, Beth’s nephew Ben, a vital 47-year-old father of four, was playing soccer to get some exercise before work. Ben doesn’t remember what happened, but he collapsed. Luckily, the facility had one of those AED (automated external defibrillator) things you see all over the place now, and someone there knew how to use it. Ben needed it to stay alive and get to the hospital.

Ben’s home already, and resuming normal activities. But hearing the story, even knowing in advance the outcome, made the ground shake under the feet of Ben’s friends and family.

I immediately got the same paralyzing fear I had a few years ago when I was told Beth’s heart had stopped, that she had been shocked back into rhythm, and that she was headed to emergency open heart surgery.

I can’t know, but Beth’s brothers and sisters had to have thought of their father—who at 47 had a heart attack and died shortly thereafter at home.

Ben’s immediate family was left to contemplate what had been imaginable—that the ever-reliable coach, devoted father and spouse was this close to vanishing from their lives.

I think we all contemplated what might have happened if the event had taken place elsewhere—some place where CPR and AEDs weren’t at the ready. I know I did—just as I did when Beth had her incident. And then I realized, as I did then, that the only thing that matters is that it did happen and life went on.

But not the same. Not for me, anyway. This happy ending had the healthy effect of reminding me that our lives, even when they feel like mundane grinds, are miraculous.

Ben and I always talk baseball and sometimes a little business at family gatherings. I always look forward to seeing him, now all the more. Ben’s one of those solid, low maintenance guys that are easy to take for granted—because that’s really the way they want it.

Sorry Ben, but those days are over.

Pick On June 18, 2018 at 7:18 pm

Hang in there…ALL of you! Take care, Ben, and family. Glad rescue team was close at hand. Life can change on a dime. Enjoy the moments of each day. The impact of NOW.
Hugs,
Pick

Bobbie Rowan Hopper On June 18, 2018 at 7:52 pm

Mare and I were 7 years old when Beth’s dad passed away. That was the first thing I thought of when I read this post. I vividly remember that day when my parents told me what had happened. Thank God, Ben is okay and his children still have their daddy.

Cheryl On June 18, 2018 at 7:53 pm

I immediately thought of my dad….in the back of my mind I was hoping he was watching over Ben. I am so thankful that Ben had all the new discoveries in the medical field that Daddy did not have over fifty years ago along with the help of some angels here on earth. Thankfully Beth was helped by these advances too. 💕

Sallie Wolf On June 18, 2018 at 8:07 pm

Thanks for this thoughtful and important reminder that life is precious—and more precarious than we know. Treasure every day and hold your loved ones close.

Carol Abriox On June 18, 2018 at 8:27 pm

so glad that in thr end all went well.

Sue Doyle On June 19, 2018 at 9:27 am

So happy for Ben’s good outcome. Great ending to your story, Mike!

Sue

Sheila A. Donovan On June 19, 2018 at 10:35 am

Thank goodness that Ben survived. I’m ever grateful that Beth survived her heart attack! What would we do without her?

Christopher J Williams On June 19, 2018 at 1:21 pm

Great post, Mike. Very happy Ben made it.

Marilee On June 19, 2018 at 2:26 pm

Thank you Mike for reminding all of us of our precious blessings.

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