Mac's near death experience

Perhaps the most marked turning point in my life occurred on a flight from Vancouver to a meeting in Ottawa. Somewhere prior to Thunder Bay, I became catatonic.

Stretched on in the aisle in first class (having been moved from my economy seat), I upchucked on the argyle socks of a first class passenger. (Imagine paying for first class, only to have someone upchuck on your argyle socks.)

Standing over me were the captain of the airplane, and a doctor who happened to be on the flight. The captain asked: "What's wrong with him?" "He is dying of a cerebral hemorrhage", the doctor replied. "Shall I land in Thunder Bay?", the captain asked. "No", the doctor replied, "nothing can be done to save him; just have an ambulance at the Toronto Airport to take him to hospital for his final hours."

Unable to respond or move, I was able to hear their conversation quite clearly, and had no reason to doubt the doctor's judgment. To my great surprise, I did not lie there regretting any of the foolish things I had done in my life up to that point. I regretted those times when "better judgment" had led me to not attempt to make a new friend, or engage in some new activity.

After being carted off the plane on a stretcher by RCMP in red jackets (at least that is the way I remember it), I recovered in hospital. It was never discovered what caused the attack, but after my return home (it took a letter from the hospital saying I was not about to die to get me back on the airline's plane), and ever since I have been quick to act on impulse. While it may get me in trouble at times, it has also produced many happy occasions.