"I'm a dogged person. I respond to adversity with a steely resistance.” - Jennifer Egan
Jay Rathman climbed to a ledge on the slope of a rocky gorge, while hunting deer in the Tehema Wildlife in northern California. As he raised his head to look over the ledge above, a coiled rattler struck with lightning speed, missing his right ear. This snake's fangs got snagged in the neck of his wool turtleneck sweater - the force of the strike causing it to land on Jay's left shoulder: it then coiled around his neck. He grabbed it behind the head with his left hand, the rattles making a furious racket. He fell backward and slid headfirst down the steep slope. "As luck would have it, he ended up wedged between some rocks with his feet caught uphill from his head. He could barely move. Jay got his right hand on his rifle and used it to disengage the fangs from his sweater, but the snake had enough leverage to strike again.
It is amazing how prepared, when we set out on the journey called, life. We plot our course, and mark spots on our map, where each achievement should show up: you have a clear-cut idea how to get where. You set off, hoping to, like Jay get into the game, shoot down a few deers, and get back home. No hassles. Alas! you're
unprepared for what comes next.
With lightening speed life is constantly striking, coiling around your neck with the intent of ending your journey, even before you start - one sad truth is, the heat won't get cooler. Issues will keep mounting, but like Jay you have to grab this rattler called life, at the back of the head with your free hand. If you fall, stand back up. Never give up! I see you victorious.
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