incandescent grace . . . .

I haven't found a place in United States where 95 miles an hour is legal however, more than once I have found police officers and highway patrolmen who overlook 95 miles per hour. Yesterday was one of those days. Abriana was being Medi-flighted from Stillwater to Tulsa. Eagle flight, unlike St. Francis fligt service does not allow parents to fly along. Therefore, I left Stillwater for St. Francis medical center as soon as the flight left.

The flight from Stillwater to Saint Francis takes about 25 minutes whereas the drive, if it is done within the confines of the law, takes about 65-70 minutes. I reached Keystone Lake the halfway point in about 22 minutes. As I drove across the bridge I noticed in the Westward bound lane a highway patrolmen with his lights on. I was aware that he had at least a 1 1/2 mile drive before he could turn around to come after me. By that time I could be at least another 3-5 miles closer and it would take him another 7-10 miles to catch me. I thought to myself, maybe he will get tired of the chase and I just kept driving at 95 mph. I am not exactly sure what happened in his car but almost exactly fifteen miles from the point where I first saw him he caught up with me.

He jumped out of his car rather quickly. He approacked the window of my car. I handed him my drivers license. Then I said, "I know I was speeding, I know you could say that I was running from you, I know you could right me a big ticket and maybe even arrest me." I continued, "However, before you make any of those decisions please know that my daughter is in a hilicopter on the way to St. Francis Medical Center and I just don't care about to much else right now." He asked me, "What is the matter with your daughter?" I responded, "She is sick!" He said, "Oh! I suspect if my daughter was sick and in a hilicopter I would drive faster than 95 mph to get to where she is at." I laughed and said, "Thanks for the permission!" He gave me my license and I was off. I attempted to stay at 80 mph however, to be honest I didn't pay much attention to my speed.

When I arrived at the Hospital I saw the same Highway Patrolman pull in behind me. He waved at me and smiled. I am not sure who he was however if I were to talk of grace today I would suggest that I understand forgiveness in the flashing lights.