That made such an impression on him that he asked if he could give the sermon at our church where I was the pastor, after he had recovered from his quadruple by-pass surgery. When he preached he talked about how this heart attack had made him suddenly aware of the real purpose of his life. He regretted spending so much time away from his children and wife, working. He vowed that his life would change because of his heart attack. Now it is eleven years later, and he is living about half-way between his life eleven years ago and what he had vowed to do.
Some people never forget it, and some do.
It is merely an event in life that people can learn from, or can choose to forget. I have personally found it very exciting and helpful. So have others. But some don't seem to benefit very much, if at all, from the experience. One point that has struck me in the stories detailed in your book is the very personal God that many people encounter.