Plano Man Attacked By Grizzly Shares Thanksgiving Story
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PLANO (CBS11) - Greg Matthews probably should not be eating Thanksgiving dinner with his family.
The Plano man came within inches of death two months ago when he was attacked by a grizzly bear while hunting moose in Alaska.
"You look in the mirror each morning and see those scars, you're reminded of what you've been through," said Greg Matthews.
The holidays now bring new meaning to Greg Matthews. Each day from here on out is bonus time.
"I would say I'm the most blessed man in the world," said Greg Matthews.
It was a single shot Greg Matthews got off before the bear knocked him over that saved his life. The bullet hit the bear in the jaw, stopping it from full use of its teeth.
Miraculously, the bites and deep scratches on his neck, head and arm were serious but not fatal.
"He almost didn't come home. So that was a big realization," said Rhea Matthews when speaking about her husband.
The attack has changed the Matthews forever, in a good way.
"Coming to a realization of what's important in life having come so close to death," said Greg Matthews. "Honestly if I had to choose whether to have never been attacked or be attacked and be where I'm at right now, I would probably choose to be attacked again."
One day, Greg Matthews says he will return to Alaska to hunt once again. He said what he will never do again is take his life and each day for granted.
"Just don't wait until it's too late because you don't know if you're going to get another chance," said Greg Matthews.
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