A letter to the driver of the SUV

Driver of the SUV,

I don't know if you will ever actually read this or not...

First, I would like to first introduce myself: My name is Matthew Sexton and I am the motorcycle rider that you hit on May 10th of this year. I am a husband, a father of four, and a volunteer firefighter. My children are 2, 5, 18, and 21. I have been a volunteer firefighter for my local community for 20 years. I had a birthday while i was in the hospital and I turned 37 years old.

Since you have made no attempt to contact me or my family, I will give you a brief synopsis of the last 6 months of my life. As I'm sure you saw in the news, I was critically injured in the accident. Both of my lungs were collapsed, my pelvis was broken in two places, my lower leg was almost torn off of my body, both of my arms were broken, and my spine was broken in two places. I was in the hospital for 2 months, a nursing home for 2 months, and a rehab facility for a month. My spine was completely served in the accident and I am a T6 Paraplegic. My life has changed dramatically due to the accident.

I don't know where you were heading in such a hurry that morning on state road 23. Evidentially the trucks traveling at 55 miles per hour were not going fast enough for you and you needed to pass them. I myself, was heading to work in Walkerton. I have worked for Polygon as a medical product development engineer for almost 4 years now. I have been very fortunate that I work for such a great company that has supported me throughout this entire ordeal.

The minimal insurance that was on the truck you were driving, has covered less than 5% of the actual costs of the accident. My lawyer completed a background check and advised that you have nothing of value and that it would be futile to sue you for any damages. Luckily, I have wonderful friends and family that have put together several fund raisers that have helped offset the out of pocket medical costs and modifications to my home.

Since the accident, I have learned to enjoy every minute that I'm alive and not to hesitate telling every person in my life exactly how much they mean to me. I've learned to hug my children tighter and to kiss my wife every time I leave them.

The Bible tells me that I shall forgive you... Matthew 6:14 "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins"

Through much thought and prayer I can finally say that I have forgiven you.


Thank You,

Matthew Sexton

Walking in the grass

Vivienne's preschool class went outside one day last week barefoot to feel the grass on their bare feet. She was so excited by this she told us about this during dinner.

Hearing this made me think about all of the little things that I took for granted before. The feel of the grass on my feet is one of those little things. I had become engrossed in the hustle and bustle daily life and forgot to enjoy the little things in life.

I'm pretty sure that I'm not alone in this... How many of us can honestly say that they appreciate daily the little things in life that we have been blessed with?