As I entered the Big River Shell Station last Friday, I noticed a pleasant looking man in a wheel chair.

Standing next to him was a pretty, young girl. I believe that in God’s kingdom you never meet a stranger. I approached the gentleman, introduced myself, and asked his name.

His name was Ken Chandler. “Who is the pretty young lady with you?” I said.

“That’s Emery, my granddaughter,” he said. At that moment, another young girl, equally as pretty, walked up. “Her name is Bently, my other granddaughter.”

Ken shared that he had two grandsons waiting in the car.

In our conversation Ken said he was 60 years old. I asked, “How long have you been paralyzed?”

“Since I was 16,” he replied.

“An accident?” I questioned curiously.

“I played high school football and while attempting a tackle, my neck was broken,” he said.

As we continued to chat, his wife Kay walked up. As they were about to leave, a young man approached the group. “This is my son-in-law Chris Bryan,” Ken said proudly.

Jokingly I asked Ken if he liked him.

“He’s great,” he said smiling.

Before they left I told them about a motivational talk I heard 40 years ago. The only thing I remember was the opening statement, “98 percent of people in America die at the age of 21, but don’t get buried until they are 85 or 90.”

The message was that people just exist, and they don’t really live life to the fullest. I told Ken that he was in the minority, the 2 percent that live and love life.

“By the way,” he said smiling, “my wife’s dad was the coach of the team!” We prayed together for the family and for a safe, trouble-free trip back to Texas.

Jeanne, my wife, often asks, “Why do you think you have to talk to everybody you meet? Harold, not everyone wants to meet you.”

“That’s their problem,” I say.

I enjoy meeting people because you never know what a blessing they might be. I’ve never been more blessed than that morning. I thank God that he allowed me to cross paths with the Chandler family.

If you have any questions, or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477 or e-mail hkeller@comcast.net.