On Aug. 14, Marshall Potter’s life took an unexpected detour when he almost died from a massive pulmonary embolism. This new year, he celebrates a second chance at life.

While dressing for work that morning, Potter — whose foot was broken and in a cast — had a blood clot that traveled to his lungs causing the embolism.

“I felt it coming on and was able to yell for my family and was able to get help,” Marshall Potter stated.

Potter passed out for a time during which his wife, Janice, called 911 and sons Joshua, 8, Gabriel, 5, and Daniel, 3, ran to get a neighbor.

When he regained consciousness, Potter said he thought, “‘There’s nothing I can do right now.’ That’s when I started praying. I focused in on that.”

Local fire department and emergency medical services transported Potter to Kennestone Hospital where he was treated in the emergency room. Potter said doctors told him that “he came close to dying.”

The Marietta resident refers to the firefighters, EMTs, doctors and others he encountered that day as heroes.

Potter believes God gave him a second chance.

“We are grateful for God’s mercy in the process. I am grateful to be around, to be a dad, to be a husband and to continue do those things that are very rewarding,” he said.

Potter said he has learned that each day is a gift and is mindful of his relationship with God.

“I feel blessed by the way my experience came out. God’s not done with me yet. You don’t always know what it is (God has planned) but there’s plenty of opportunity to help others around us,” he said.

“One of my greatest worries is that things get back to normal. I want to remember not to take life for granted. I am grateful to God to be alive,” Potter said.