This day of every year, I’m always filled with such emotion. Thankfulness, mainly. Thirty-one years ago this day, I was face to face with a crack addicted armed robber. I wish the “scene of the crime” was limited to that face to face encounter but it extended to a car ride to another ATM with this gunman and conversations that still resonate with me today. The pride he expressed that “If He was a rapist, He’d rape me!”, the generosity in giving me a portion of my money back-if just for a moment. See, I was a college student, just having left my work internship and hoping that on this beautiful Friday at noon, I’d simply be able to get my newly planned haircut and begin my weekend. When the assailant was caught, he had in his possession a loaded 45 caliber handgun.

Just six years ago, I learned that this man is now in prison serving a sentence for the murder of a young woman. It seems that he battled drug addiction his entire life and was a habitual offender whose final offense was the ultimate. I will never forget that day or the fact that this young lady’s demise could have been my very own. Today in complete humility, gratitude and thanksgiving, I express how greatful I am for the opportunity to still be here today!

I’ll be singing Dorinda Clark Cole’s “I’m Still Here.” All day long and reciting Psalm 138:7 that “though I walked in the midst of trouble, God preserved my life.”