Choices
By Bonnie Cannon
Bonnie Cannon has over 20 years of experience in vocational rehabilitation and counseling. She has both a Bachelors and a Masters degree from Auburn University, and has published many professional articles on topics relating to the disabled. Bonnie considers herself an advocate for the disabled, and is currently completing her Ph.D. at Auburn University in Disability Education. She is the owner of Cannon & Associates in Birmingham, Alabama, and has recently joined the faculty at Troy University in Troy, Alabama.

"to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the
heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die..." (Ecclesiates 3:1,2)

How are we different than the disciples who were with Christ before his death? Why did they choose not to listen to him? Although he clearly told them, what the next few hours would bring; they ignored him and expected things to stay the same. Although, Christ was clear that someone would betray him, someone would deny him, and that he would leave all of them but that he would return. No-one believed; no, they each expected things to stay the same. Don’t we expect things to stay the same?

For example, I recently talked with a young man who relayed a story of choices. His best friend decided to stop to take doughnuts to work for his office staff. This choice delayed his arriving to his office. He placed the doughnuts out for his staff and went to wash his hands. While he was in the restroom he heard a loud noise. He ran out of the restroom only to notice that the entire side of the building had gone. He ran to the stairs, he had two choices right or left, he chose right. The left side of the building was hit by the second plane of the twin towers. He survived.

As for me, for over thirty years as an integral part of my work as a Rehabilitation Counselor, I have worked as an expert witness for The Social Security Administration. As an expert witness, I testify as to the employability of individuals with disabilities who are applying for disability benefits. It is not unusual for these individuals to have life threatening conditions.

It was just another spring day, which to all of us present appeared to be just, “another day in court” or, as Mr. Rogers would say, “Just another day in the neighborhood.” In-between hearings, I saw a thin small- framed, powdery appearing lady standing by a sink in the restroom. She had a kind face with black hair frosted-with-white, which partially covered her face. In her right hand she was pulling an oxygen tank through which oxygen was being pumped through a long thin tube that split to enter each nostril. She was struggling to wash and dry her hands.

As I reached over to assist her, our eyes met. She sheepishly smiled with her eyes before she spoke the words “Thank you.” I replied, “My pleasure.” I returned to the courtroom where I learned that the lady in the restroom was the claimant scheduled for the next hearing.

Court was proceeding as normal, the claimant was testifying about her job. She was looking directly into my eyes when it happened. It was a moment that I will never forget. She fell forward on the table. I ran to her immediately. Although time was passing as normal, it felt like slow motion.

I will never forget this: I leaned over her. It was clear to me that life was leaving her body. I started calling her name, louder and louder,” Donna! Donna!” I shouted. I was thinking… Should we do CPR? Does anyone know CPR? What to do? I raised my hand and began to pray as loud as I could.

I turned and looked over my shoulder and there stood a tall, thin, lady who appeared to be in her 60’s with a look on her face of disbelief and horror. I later learned that this was Donna’s Mom. Within seconds it was apparent to all that the life, which had been before us, was gone. The paramedics came. They said that Donna was dead. They took her out of the room, we watched from the window as they loaded her into the ambulance. The tall thin lady, her mom, was with her. I went to the hospital to talk to her. But Donna was alive. They resuscitated her. She lived.

Things in life are not often as “we plan”. Can we expect the unexpected? Life is an ongoing journey of choices. Major choices such; as a career plan, a wedding plan, a plan for a family, a vacation plan, and we budget according to a plan, all the while striving to develop plans which are reflective of our values. Simple choices, on the other hand, with which we are daily bombarded often appear to be insignificant. Choices such as which route to take to work, to answer the phone or not, to talk to the lady in the store next to us.

However, all choices no matter how small, ultimately can and will affect our lives. Sometimes we see the effects of these choices, but often we never realize the impact of them. Then are we like the disciples? Do we expect tomorrow to be just like today and so on? Do we realize that we do not know how much time we may have?

I must ask myself several questions? Am I like Judas? Do I sell my relationship with Christ for a simple bag of gold? Do I seek this treasure over a relationship with him? What about my prayer life? Christ asks the disciples to pray? Do I take time to pray? Am I like Peter? Do I deny him before man and lean to my own understanding?

At this time of Easter it is clear to me just like to two individuals mentioned who still live. It is
time for me to live as if there is no expectation of tomorrow. What about you?

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