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Online now: 4 members: Jesse Torres, TABLE SETTER 11, TonyA, dawg888; 133 anonymousDiscussion: Make the Most of Life, By Carl Gustafson
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| Oct. 29, 2009 jim16 Men's 65 180 posts | Make the Most of Life, By Carl Gustafson The last issue of Senior Sotball News had the most Prophetic article ever written in the world of softball. Its such an incredible coincidence that it cannot be JUST coincidence. If you have a copy of the paper you need to get it right now and read on page 13 Carls Corner. I am going to plagerize and rewrite the first paragraph here, I am sure Carl won't protest. "He crossed home plate, turned to his teammates with a grin, and dropped over dead. It wasn't the first time this happened in a tournament game nor will it be the last. This incident happened in August to a player who was quite sure he'd be in Phoenix in October". This was written just before the paper's deadline in August. On Friday October 23 Carl crossed home plate with full steam in a senior game in San Diego and collapsed. Much happened in the ensuing few minutes that certainly changed Carl's life forever and, its up to us all, can be a huge change in our lives too. Carl thought he was preaching to all of us when in reality he was foretelling his own story. Carl screamed at a teammate who was calling 911 and was adamantly denying there was a problem. Over severe objections the 911 call was made and when paramedics arrived Carl was barely alive and before they could help him he died, right there in front of teammates and paramedics, he stopped breathing and his heart stopped. At that very moment Carl knew he was dying. A man who is invincible, or so he thought,a man who did all the right things with his body and had almost no body fat, died right there denying anything was wrong. This isn't the end of the story, its just the beginning. The 911 call was successful and the paramedics brought Carl back to life. Had teammates done what Carl tried his best to get them to do, I would have lost a "Best Friend", a beautiful wife would be a widow and we as senior softball players would have lost the opportunity to learn an incredible lesson, the lesson Carl was trying to share in the summer edition of Senior Softball News. There is so much more to this story and much will be written in coming days and months. This is an opportunity right now for all of us to take note and get our lives in proper focus. Every day is a gift and could be our last. Carl isn't out of the woods yet but he has changed and I guarantee he will make the most of each day to make a difference. The doctors in the emergency room fought with Carl and over his protests and surgically put in a stint that has given him new life. He is among the most intelligent guys I have ever known. He is a gifted athlete, music composer, journalist, engineer and a very well known Blues singer and band leader. He has learned he isn't invincible and he will be using every day to make a difference. There is more to come on this story but before its all written I want to encourage all of us to examine our own lives as Carl has encouraged us to do. Are you in the right place, right now to meet your maker? |
| Oct. 29, 2009 the wood Men's 65 1123 posts | I'm sorry to hear of Carl's near death... I'll keep him in my prayers. BW |
| Oct. 29, 2009 F.O.G. Men's 40 105 posts | Was this Carl from Top Gun?? I'm very sorry to hear of his passing, but, like James, he went out doing what he loved! RIP |
| Oct. 29, 2009 curveball Men's 65 705 posts | He didn't pass. I talked with him yesterday. He's had a heart attack and is home recovering................. |
| Oct. 30, 2009 jim16 Men's 65 180 posts | Read carefully guys, Carl actually DIED on the softball field just like he foreshadowed in his SS USA column. However, Paramedics brought him back and he is still with us. He was totally gone for a minute or two. |
| Oct. 30, 2009 F.O.G. Men's 40 105 posts | Sorry I misread this... |
| Oct. 30, 2009 OTE24 Men's 65 123 posts | Carl, Get well soon,can't wait to see you at Kit Carson next year. |
