Outskirts Press, INC.

How to Cheat Death by Living Fully!

Have you ever: been electrocuted, almost abducted, held captive by an army in a foreign country, been in a high-speed chase, risked a head-on collision, had numerous emergency surgeries to save your life, or been slammed to the ground over and over again by an Olympic wrestling medalist? Meet Danny Foster— he has! The 9 Lives of Danny Foster explores how to come to grips with Death “knocking at your door,” or at least how to stay one step ahead of the Grim Reaper (hint— it’s hard to run in a robe and holding a big scythe).

Through Danny’s stories of near-death, nearly near-death, and almost nearly near-death experiences, you’ll relive his journey as he finds himself dodging dodgy circumstances and learning about life and how to live along the way. With wit and wisdom (mostly wit— some wisdom), Danny takes you on his adventures as he contemplates what it means to face our fears and come through realizing how amazing and beautiful LIFE is!

I’ve often told people that I am like a cat, I’ve had nine lives. The idea that cats have nine lives dates back to an old English proverb written in 1732 by Thomas Fuller, “A cat has nine lives and a woman has nine cats’ lives.” I’ve always heard the reference to cats having nine lives, but never the comparison to women having, I guess, 81 lives. This would give women a major statistical edge over cats. 

As I have considered the number of near-death, nearly near-death, or almost nearly near-death experiences I’ve had, I wondered if everyone else has had these moments? So, I’ve conducted my own informal survey of people’s encounters with near-death, nearly near-death, or almost nearly near-death experiences. 

At special occasions and gatherings like baby showers, baptisms, weddings, and funerals, I’ll ask different people if they’ve ever had a near-death experience or if they’ve ever had their “life flash before their eyes?” Sometimes this seems to offend people and they quickly go back to pouring water over their baby’s head. Those that do answer, can rarely recount any experiences, or at the most, one, maybe two. This got me thinking. 

Am I different? Weird? Chosen or gifted with special powers? How have I cheated the Grim Reaper over and over again? Am I almost out of lives? If cats have nine lives and women have 81, where do men fit in this scheme? Has having had these experiences changed me or my perspective on death? All good questions with no good answers. I guess a lot depends on how you view death.