I am laying here in bed, tired and just finished reading a sports article on espn.com before I check my email and go to sleep. As I am reading this article, I am reminded how we never know when life is going to be taken from us and it was the second time in 2 days I had this thought so I want to share my reasonings for these thoughts and probably alaberate with personal stories.
The article I just finished reading contained a few letters written 70 years ago, between Lou Gehrig and his doctor and friend. It was 70 years ago when the famous Yankee iron man, had a day in his honor. Spacificly, it was July 4th, 1939 at old Yankee Stadium when he, stricken with the disease that one day would bare his name, in front of 60,000 fans, said the following words
""'Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I have been in ballparks for 17 years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans."
Lou Gehrig would pass away 2 years later at the young age of 37.
I was sitting on a bench as the 4th of July parade was finishing up when my uncle came over to me and told me that Steve McNair was found dead. My annicial response was "what?" in disbelief, doubting I heard the name that I just heard. He repeated, saying he had just read about it on his blackberry and my twin confirming it, saying he just read about it too.
I remember first learning about him when I was in JR HS. He was a great qb who would pass for 400 yards and rush for another 100. He was exciting to watch play in college and I watched him through his pro career in the NFL.
Steve McNair was shot dead at the young age of 36. No matter what may follow in the next few days and weeks, he will always be seen as a strong man who put others before himself. Who was charritable with both his money and time to many people. A great football player who worked very hard, coming from a small college and making it in the NFL, he had a lot of leadership qualities and always believed in his team.
We have seen some legends and icons pass away over the last few weeks, most passing way too young. I think, I am 31, I am too young too. How do I know that I will go to sleep tonight and not wake tomorrow? I don't know that. In fact, none of us know that.
My great uncle passed away last summer at the old age of 97. He was one of about 30 people in my personal life to pass away in the last 10 years. I realize, as we get older, those who are older than us, also get older, and move closer to the end.
We all imagine we would pass like my uncle did. At a nice old age, in our sleep, being able to give some wealth to the family.
However, we are not all as fortunate as my great uncle and so we all have to be thankful for all we do have. Even if life doesnt seem to be going so well, at least it is going.
I have goals that I hope one day will be lived, met and seen through. As I get older, I get closer and closer to those goals. I also discover others along the way. Some are far fetch, others seem to be, but I know, arnt, and as long as I keep the faith and keep moving forward, (even if I have to take a step back once in a while) I will be everything I hope to be and do all that I hope to do.
And if I dont, I know that I had a nice life.
I have been blessed with a caring family, a few great friends, a religion to follow, passion that keeps me sain, an unbelievable memory (especially for numbers), a caring heart, an unwavering determination and most of all, the opritunity to live.
I will leave you with these words:
Hug your family members and tell them that you love them.
Thank your friends for being your friend.
If you have issues with someone, try to just let it go.
Minimize your stresses and maximize your pleasures
Jonathan |
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