What I've learned in the 24 hours of 2012!

The year has just begun, but I think I can already share the most important thing I've learned. Sure, this may sound said too soon, but I know the perception of my life has dearly changed in less than 24 hours, January 1, 2012.
You would think that going out to party on New Years Eve is already asking for trouble. What about the people with no designated drivers? Being out on one of the craziest times, is all a big risk for the safety of your life. I have read and heard many stories the day after New Years day. Given, this is my favorite time of the year, because I reflect on what has been and what should be. I always try to make a new memory, so that I remember how I started off until it leads me toward the end.
This NYE, I spent a few hours downtown and had reached my home around 9:30pm. My roommate/best friend and her two children where home, so I thought where else but to spend NYE with my family away from family?
Midnight came, we had our cup of tea and started a movie. We eventually spoke of our past year and she decided her resolution become a minimum and, at most, general. She shared "Reflect, refocus, and re-shift." I concurred.
Waking up on a New Years morning was a good feeling. I woke up and I decided that I will refocus, and I will see my day beautiful and happy. So I spent the day out and the weather was beautiful!
Evening came and I figured the first day of the year is about to retire, why don't I end it with a great dinner! We were was going to cook, but my friend's son mention how he wanted sushi. We all love sushi, so sushi it was!! We ordered and they actually were open for delivery!
Ahh, what a filling and delicious dinner! Ok, now let's relax with tea and a movie! Since my roommate has not seen "School of Rock", that was the movie of the night. What more could we ask for but being comfortable, warm, and 'safe' in our living room?
I'd have to say we met the of end of the movie half way before we suddenly heard what seemed to be an explosion in the other corner of our living room! You can imagine two women so scared, we naturally hit the floor, and crawled out. Seconds later, her son and his friend come out of his room and was asking what that loud noise was? We turned the light off and just sat on the floor until we got ourselves together. We called the police explaining what we heard, but we did not know what it was; thus, them only driving around the home. After seeing the police, which wasn't long after, we turned the light back on due to the odd smell of gun powder. A familiar smell from back in childhood days, as I could remember. So, we did our own inspection and I knew I saw some thing different; I notice there, on the couch, an obvious hole point blank in the mid section, but where the head of a person would be sitting. Just the sight of that hole frightened us more and made me sick to my stomach. That is when we had to immediately call the police.
Looking at the time when we first heard the explosion, we were still in the first day of the New Year; only shy by one half an hour into the next day!
With this all happening so fast, we eventually put it into order. What has shaken me most of all is the fact that I was literally sitting right in the direction of the bullet. I had now remembered the swift breeze I felt after the loud vibration. I've shot guns, but never been shot at; those are two totally different feelings and noises.
I went to my room feeling numb with uncontrollable shaking. I wanted all this to be a nightmare; I wanted wake up and tell myself, "I'm ok, it was only a bad dream".
After minutes later, I got up to make sure my roommate was ok, but once I saw her we hugged and bawled, knowing the reality and extent of harm to one's life this bullet would have done. I could feel our heart pounding, she kept mentioning her thankfulness toward her kids safety. I agreed, but I had to mention my thankfulness to ours. At this point, I knew that an angel was watching over me-us; that this was the protection of God. My life was spared only by the grace of God. I have gone through so much in life, recently losing my brother(among other loved ones), being diagnosed with a cancer, and now being inches, if not centimeters, away from a deadly bullet. If for one minute you put yourself in my shoe, then can you understand why I agree with my roommate, to "reflect, refocus, and re-shift". This is what I've learned in the first 24 hours of 2012.
I know now that life is certainly precious and short. I'd like to say tell all your loved ones how much you care, but it's all cliche; then again, it's true. I wander, if the bullet had penetrated, then what would one say I have lived for? This New Year is another opportunity to make the difference I've always wanted.