I recently came across the following story told by Rabbi Efrem Goldberg of Boca Raton. A 70-year-old woman had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. While on the operating table, she had a near-death experience and asked Hashem if her time was up. He told her directly that she had a bit over 23 years left to live. The woman figured she would take advantage of the situation and maximize her time in the hospital. She opted for a face lift, liposuction, changed her hairstyle, and decided to get colored lenses to complete her total makeover. She thought this would be worthwhile since she had many more years on earth. When she came home from the hospital, she was crossing the street and got hit by a car. Arriving at Hashem’s doorstep, she demanded, “I thought you said I have another 23 years left; why didn’t you save me from the speeding car?!” Hashem answered her: “I would have, but I couldn’t recognize you.”