A New Life
July 29, 2009
Well…this is a different kind of post! I have lots of information to share…got really excellent pictures and video of the July 26th celebration…particularly of the Liberian Cultural dancers (not including the negative connotations of native) and of Madame President Sirleaf…I will post those over the next day or so. Thanks for all of those who have been following my journey. I’ve been trying to post when I can…however, I have been busy and am not always able to get to an internet connection. For those of you who know me, you also know I can be pretty closed and private. However, I believe this experience should be shared…especially for those who are contemplative about life.
Yesterday, we headed out to visit a farm. I was pretty excited about it…the food was going to be excellent (big thing for me since I am not typically excited about food), I was going to spend an evening in one the large agricultural settings, and would have some good time out in another area of the interior. I was sitting in the backseat working on a presentation I am to give tonight, when I heard someone in the car yell. At this point, I didn’t even have a chance to look up. We must of been traveling at a speed of 80 – 100 mph, (international rules differ a bit), and the driver lost control of the car.
The car flipped end over end at least 3 times…not side over side…end over end…the seat belt saved my life because everything was thrown out of the car…when the car stopped it landed next to a stump that we had flipped over, did you hear me say over,…a few feet of a difference and it would of penetrated the car and impaled someone…I was sitting in the back seat…you see that dent where the roof of the car is bent up…well that was me being tossed around inside of the car even with the belt on…
I imagine that we all may have different things that go through our mind when something like that happens. I never lost consciousness…I was actually very lucid. While the car was spinning, I first thought…SHIT…this is not good (ok, now is not the time for political correctness)…I thought about when would be stop…I wondered if there was a ravine we were about to roll down…as we kept spinning, I thought about my four children…my loved ones…parents should not have to bury their kids…I even thought about ‘Left Eye’ of TLC…I thought about my grandfather…
I had my computer in my hands…and you know I will kill a fool over one of my laptops…my window to the world :)…and as the car kept flipping…I let it go…and it was thrown from the car like everything else…and when we finally came to a stop…I immediately responded by trying to be aware of my body so as to try and do whatever I could do to maintain myself because I wanted to live…the car stopped, I started smelling for gas…and immediately pushed open my door to get out…still trying to make sure I could tell if I was ok…
I then started to help others out of the car! This was a road where you may see a few people sporadically, but not a lot of people…but, then out from the bush people started coming…like they were coming out of nowhere… Now, the folks in the interior can be very spiritual. In fact, they tend to be highly connected to what some would call the spiritual world in as much as others are connected to the material world. As I stood there in shock and in a daze…people came running out of the push…picking up our stuff…one man came running towards me with my laptop that had been thrown out of the car…people were picking up papers…and you could also hear people crying… Some were running up to the car crying…as if they had been called from a far distance by a sense that some disorder had taken place that threatened the sacredness of life… It was completely amazing…
These people were all so helpful…interestingly, the United Nations has a huge contingent here. At least 10 UN trucks drove by without even stopping…one even almost ran into us…a truck from the organization Dr.s Without Borders also drove right by…and UN Ambulance also just drove right by…I guess I don’t have to say anything else about that…It is a wonderful thing that we all had on seat belts, and there were no immediately terminal injuries or we would of all been able to interpret the different perspectives that others have around the world when it comes to the UN…Except this time…it would of been our own experience!!! One group who were in a UN truck stopped to investigate…they came with the police…but, they wouldn’t even allow us to sit in the UN truck inorder to gather ourselves….ok, enough said about that…
A Liberian tax driver had stopped! They shuffled a few people around and took us to the hospital…Phebe Hospital… The Dr.’s checked us out…said we would live another day 🙂 and so I headed back out…
Needless to say…this was an experience that I wasn’t counting on. Often times in convesating with people…it is said, wow if I was young again. I’ve never been one of those people. Hell, it was hard enough getting through some of that stuff the first time…If I don’t have the knowledge of living to guide me, why would I want to go back through the same stupid mistakes I have already made. Plus, it is a waste of time to deal to much with the hypothetical…instead…I am like a cat who has nine lives 🙂 That experience of rolling around in that car in rural Liberia, was a journey to another dimension. Makes you thing about the future…so that is what I will deal with… Instead of talking about reliving life…how about what are you going to do with your New Life? A day starts…you go through your routine…then the routine becomes not so routine…and it is over…what if you are given another chance…what would you add to your life? How would you treat people? What would you do to make it a better place? Well, that is where I am…Looking forward…fortunately, I was here anyway to do what I could to help somebody…so I will continue on with that…what a great way to help yourself…to help somebody else 🙂
In the mean time…anybody I’ve hurt or pissed off….please forgive me…and I don’t have any grudges against anyone who has do the same to me!
I saw Abraham, Noah, Elijah, Jesus, Moses, Muhammad, Buddha, a few Sacred Cows…and everybody else on my road to Damascus 🙂 My Kids: Don’t worry…Daddy is still banging 🙂
Ok…A New Life…on with the Journey…
As I said…great pics and stories to come…
Malik Watkins's Bloglines 
Amazing. You truly do have 110% more reality in your life than most people. It’s a blessing you’re still around. Sounds like the UN pretty much sucks. Glad you’re ok.
WOW! So glad you and your fellow passengers were unharmed. You’re here to live another day and what a day it sounds like it is! Thank God for the outpouring of assistance from the countrymen. I really can’t wait to see what you do with this “new-er” fresh perspective…keeping you in my prayers!
Damn, I’m glad your ok. So much for the UN.It’s nice to hear that the people were real helpful.I look forward to the convertions once you return. Continue banging solider and keep up the good work!!
Wow. I am so glad that you are ok and no one was hurt. It is great that you still have your sense of humor. 🙂 Keep up the good work, continue to stay encouraged and blessed. Take care of yourself.
OMG!!! Too scary!!! I am glad that you are still with us my friend and that you are ok. The UN response to the incident was pathetic. I agree with Dionne, they pretty much suck. Take care of yourself and continue to be Blessed. Looking forward to your next entry.
WOW!! I’m so so so glad you are OK. I nearly cried when mommy called and told me what happen. I actually tried calling you but I forgot where you were and remembered that I couldn’t. I finally was able to get online the other day. My laptop was fried during a storm. 😦 From the entry I can tell you are having a good time. Wish I was there! Love u dad
Mo-wee-key! I’m so glad to hear that you are ok. And I’m glad to read what happened in your own words. If I had heard this through the ‘bamboo curtain’ it would have been quite different. Did you ever figure out what caused the accident (besides the reckless driving of course)? It’s amazing that you traveled all the way to the interior of Liberia, Africa to have such an experience. Please take care of yourself and keep writing. Love you!
I think this is it for you, first malaria and now a vehicle accident. No more trips to Liberia! Glad to know that I still have my main man. Is the UN response another case of racial profiling, even in Liberia? Stay healty and be safe!
For me the amazing part is, you are in Liberia!! I am glad you are ok, if they have beer, have one on me, and I will pay you when you get back to the states 😀
WOW!! Glad to hear you’re ok…stay safe over there, man. Thanks for the perspective and that’s awesome about how the locals came to help (yet very sad about the UN and Doctors Without Borders).
Malik – I know this experience will bring new direction to your life. Blessings my friend – Marjorie
..Did you have a back up copy of your book?
“Your life is now”
I am glad and grateful that you came through this okay and can give us all a testimony. We often times take many things for granted, including life itself. We are all blessed to see another day, another chance at life, another chance to get it right.
Hi Malik. I found this blog on our Savannah Community Headlines…
Thank goodness you were not hurt. What an awful experience. I hope the rest of your visit is everything you hoped it would be.
I’d love to read your reflections and commentary. Keep up the great work.
Barbara
Maliikk!!! Brother, I haven’t heard from you in quite some time, and when I get an address to contact you I read of this horrifying accident. I praise Allah you are safe. I always thought you live an extraordinary life and now that life has been extended. Allah’s the Greatest. Your websight is very interesting and the pictures are fascinating. I am now a regular reader and look forward to your next posting. I understand a Los Angeles visit is in your future plans. That would be a blessing. I will be in anticipation of that day. Until then be safe and enjoy.
Peace, Your Brother
Raaghib.
Hey Honey,
Pop told me about the accident. I’m so glad you’re ok.
Last Thursday I had dinner at Sambuca’s with a Savannah State Alumni who know’s you. I don’t think he had to take any of your classes but he described you perfectly…Wayne Dovan, graduated 2003. Just thought I’d share that with you.
Keep on doing your thang big bro…Proud of you and proud to be your lil sis.
Kel
Holy Shits! That was a crazy story! Glad you came out the other end OK, and that you got your laptop back (haha). Maybe it was just a little nudge from the universe to change your thoughts a bit…
Wow, I am so glad you and the others were not hurt. My heart dropped when I seen that car then to read that you were in it. I also agree that the UN response sucked. A BIG thanks goes out to the Liberian taxie driver that stopped! Please be safe I want to hear that my best friend back in the United States ALIVE!!!!
Hi Daddy I just read your article that you made…I’m glad that ur okay..scared me for a little…lol I didn’t know that u could curse on this ….hope ur computer is okay…because everyone does know u will kill a fool for that….i was really surprised that u had ur seat belt on..but i’m glad u did..I will be happy to hear more about it once you get back…we all love you and cant wait to see you soon.BYE!!
OMG, I’m so glad you’re okay. I didn’t read all this the first time I checked your blog. I saw your old man yesterday and he told me about the accident. Thank God you are okay, because I’m not about to lose you, unless I gotta take you out myself 😉
Much love. Call me when you get back on US soil.
-C.
You sure get a lot of love on this blog site, homey! Hope you are well. Peace & blessings, C.