April 24, 2025
By: Marcus Velasquez

Today I ran a stop sign.

It was a four-lane road—pretty busy, usually—and I just… didn’t stop. My brain wasn’t where it should’ve been. I’m normally a careful driver, overly cautious even. But today, I don’t know. I was distracted, caught up in something, and I rolled right through it.

I didn’t even realize it until I was halfway through the intersection. That sinking stomach-drop feeling hit right after. I could’ve been T-boned. I could’ve hurt someone. I could’ve died.

But there was no cross traffic. Not a single car. It was like the universe gave me a pass this one time. I sat in silence the rest of the drive, gripping the wheel tighter than I ever have. Not from fear, really—just disbelief. I kept thinking, “What the hell were you doing?”

I haven’t told anyone. What am I supposed to say? “Hey, I almost didn’t make it to lunch today because my brain spaced out and I blew through a stop sign”?

I think I’m posting this here because I need to admit it somewhere. I need to feel that weight off my chest. I don’t know if I believe in miracles, but today sure as hell felt like one.

— Marcus Velasquez