A week ago I was in the middle of a basketball game . . . a game I didn’t really want to go to, but since the eye doctor I was pursuing stood me up, there I was.

The NY 1 team was up by
about six. I didn’t score much and was concentrating on rebounds when I went up for
one more. When my weight traveled into my right leg I could see a black and white picture of the lower part of my knee moving higher than the upper part. I could feel three strings pop and then the second flash bulb image of all white was in my mind as a lightning bolt of pain shot through all my nerves. Needless to say, the NY1 Shooters would need someone else to be the garbage man for the remaining six minutes of the game.

After going up and down on that leg for 25 years as an athlete, something was dreadfully wrong. I went from the less than fluid but complete movement of an active man in his 30’s to virtual fossilization. I limped home and have been limping ever since.

Just prior to writing this to you, I was told by a doctor that I have what is called a torn ACL and Meniscus . . .injuries that, though common, require surgery and months of rehabilitation. Even hearing the official word, my body knew what was ahead for me, and all because I didn’t listen to that little voice inside that told me "Eh, maybe not tonight."

Being stuck around my apartment for several days with a limited ability to move gave me a chance to feel sorry for myself. But on the "glass is half full" side of the equation, I had to be thankful that my injury wasn’t worse and that it didn’t happen during my football playing years in school, or at a time when I had no insurance.

But after the dreaded task of telling my family members — who all want to fly here to baby me — I had to think about my life. I mean, people go out during simple procedures all the time, right?

had to deal with a look at my own mortality . . . a look that’s good to take without the mirror of personal trauma hoisted up to the right angle, but I was looking with it. I was once told that a true measure of wasting your time was this: make a list of the things you want to do and are working towards right now; then make a list of the things you’d do if you found out you only had two years to live. If your lists are drastically different, then you are probably wasting your time and possibly your life.

One could easily say that exercising that rule of thumb, as a guideline could be tough if not impossible. In a world where a high riding stock market could crash or federal governmental policies could change in one election, it is hard to say what lies ahead for you and your family. Nothing, however, in the best or worst of times is guaranteed. A dramatic course change on the ship of your life, can sweep over you like a wave from nowhere. It can happen to all of us in an instant no matter how routine, boring or even glamorous your life may appear to be.

If you heard it was all over for you tomorrow or two years from now what would you change? Is there a relative, maybe a brother or sister, mother or father you’d mend fences with? Maybe you would start that business you’ve thought about? Maybe play that instrument you’ve always wanted to play? I’m sure there is a list you would have. I still haven’t made serious attempts to learn how to play a saxophone, my book is half finished and I haven’t sent my mother on her dream trip. On the other hand since hearing about the two lists rule — as I call it — years ago, I’ve learned some Spanish, started my book, and oh yeah, I became a TV reporter in New York City.

Most of us have gotten a lot done with the lives we’ve been blessed with, but deep down in the closets of our hearts, there are goals unaccomplished and dreams unfulfilled. Sweep out the dust bunnies off of them while you still can. Think about them now and act on at least some of them.

God only gives you one roll of film. The number of shots only he knows. So make each one count. You never know, when in a flash, all you’ve taken is all you’ve got.

— Gary Anthony Ramsay is a weekend anchor
and journalist on the all-news cable station NY1
and a long-time resident of Queens.