The North Carolina Mason

J une 7, 2019 is a day that changed my life forever. On that Friday, I began a journey within a journey that I never imagined. The day began like so many, hurrying from work then traveling to a Masonic function, driving in the rain, sitting in the rocking chair being second in a line of traffic, singing along with the radio, when out of nowhere a black SUV appeared between me and the pickup I had been following for the last five miles, and hit me head-on, both of us doing 60 mph. I was awake, saw, and remembered every detail of the accident. When my car spun to a stop, I looked around, had one of those "what the heck just happened?" moments, then passed out. I woke up a couple of times, once when a fellow who identified himself as a doctor told me I was badly injured and was crushed, being pinned in, and to not try to move. The second time was when a young rescue technician cut off my door so I could be extricated, and the rescue captain stuck his head in and told me they were getting me out. I passed out again, was resuscitated in the ambulance due to blood loss, and was in and out of consciousness for the following three days in the Trauma ICU until I was stable. I was in the hospital for about four months and bedridden for five. My recovery has been long and challenging. I am still in pain, disabled, but now walking with a special cane. But my accident has left me a better person, placing everything it its proper perspective, and I am bonded closer to my friends, my family and my God. Life is good. I have met some wonderful people along the way and have been given so much brotherly love and support by my lodge brothers, brethren from around the state, and the Grand Lodge. So many have done so much for me, more than I deserve. I am beginning to become active in Masonry again. Last month, I even attended the Grand Master's Dinner at the Charlotte Speedway Club. It was great to see many of my brothers that I have missed so much. It was a great night of good food, drink, song, and fellowship. I tried to catch up with so many brothers before the meeting I stood too long and had to sit down and recover. While sitting at a table, four brothers from Albemarle Lodge were standing behind me. After a while, I joined into their conversation when I realized that two of them were volunteer firemen and offered I was with the Charlotte Fire Department. We began talking about that, and The Discovery at the Grand Master's Dinner By Worshipful Brother Don Barrier, Derita #715 16 | T H E M A S O N M AGA Z I N E

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