Praying over pizza

Realtors are an interesting bunch. As one of the newest of the profession, I have found those engaged in the business of helping people buy and sell real estate need to let their hair down occasionally. It's understandable. Real estate is a feast-or-famine business.

You only earn money, a commission, if you close a transaction. Much time, effort and money can be invested in a property that fails to change hands, and you don't get paid. Not a penny. No wonder Realtors seek release from the pressure.

Last week, the Missouri Association of Realtors held a trivia night in Jefferson City, Missouri. My wife and I were sitting at one of the many tables, where shortly we would match wits against our fellows from across the state.

We enjoyed the repast of pizza offered by the hotel. As we looked to our left, we noticed a stranger sitting with us. He was sitting with his head down, offering a silent prayer over his food. As he finished, he genuflected, making the sign of the cross.

When you play 10 rounds of trivia with a person, you can get to know them a bit. John Abuzeide of Union, Missouri, of Lebanese descent, had a close call with death -- which made his table grace that night all the more remarkable.

As he told his story, it was clear for John Abuzeide, just being alive was a victory in itself.

As he recounted his brush with eternity, and his joy at still being on this side of the dirt, the words of Psalm 118:24 came to mind: "This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Some of us, perhaps many of us, look too far ahead -- longing for that perfect job, for that amazing vacation, for that incredible source of income.

We tend to believe, without giving it voice, that there is a pot at the end of our rainbow, full of treasures and happiness. We focus, then, on tomorrow, on an unrealized future, rather than the simple pleasure of today. John does not make that mistake.

He was in his Omni on Highway 47 in Union, near the intersection with Highway 50. He was near the QuikTrip, for those familiar with the area. A tractor-trailer behind him finally realized the Omni had come to a complete stop and the rig driver applied the brakes -- but far too late.

The rig slammed into John's Omni, pushing him into the vehicle ahead and folding that tiny car into what later looked like a massive accordion.

John's tale had my full attention. My paternal grandfather had been in a similar accident not long after World War II, and Grandfather Long did not survive.

John underwent 10 surgeries to repair the massive injuries. His neck and spine were severely compromised. His ACL, his anterior cruciate ligament, a ligament often torn by athletes, was destroyed.

The ACL keeps the knee stable -- and John wears a brace to this day and probably will for the rest of his life. He can turn his neck, but must do so gingerly. Bending over must be done carefully.

For months, his wife had to roll him over on the bed to help him with his therapy exercises.

Everything changed in an instant on Highway 47, yet John is grateful to be alive and gives glory to God -- a God he honored the other night by praying over his pizza.

Oh, and one more thing. John qualifies for permanent Social Security disability, but he is not claiming it. Why? Because he earns his income as a Realtor.

If you think your day is tough, think of John, who came so close to death and who prays over his pizza.