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On my way home from coaching basketball yesterday, I was
listening to WGN; my favorite talk radio station out of
Chicago. I could tell right away that there was something
wrong by the somber mood of the speaker. There had been a
plane crash. Two small planes collided into each other over
a northern suburb of Chicago. What made the story hit close
to home was that Bob Collins, the morning show man for WGN,
was the pilot of one of the planes and had been killed. (I'm
sure that many readers have tuned in "Uncle Bobby" on their
car radios in the Midwest.) Later that night, as I made my
40 minute drive to my third shift job, I listened as the
station reminisced and paid tribute to a man who was loved
by many. They told story after story, describing him as the
ultimate friend, and a man who had lived life to the
fullest. Genuine love and affection poured in from all over
the country. The more I listened about how this man had
influenced those around him, the more discouraged I became.
Why you ask?
I was discouraged because I wanted to know why we as a
culture, wait until somebody has passed away before we tell
them how much we love them? Why do we wait until someone's
ears can't hear before we let them how much they mean to us?
Why do we wait until it is too late before we recall the
good qualities of a person? Why do we build someone up after
they have gone into eternity? What good does it do then! We
share memory after memory, as we laugh, cry, and think back
about what was positive in a person's life. Yes, it does
help us cope with the grief of losing someone that was
special to us. And yes it does bring those who are coping,
closer together. But as we lovingly remember this person,
our words fall short of the ears that most needed to hear
them.
Just once I would like to see a celebration of life, instead
of a gathering of death. A celebration where stories are
told, eyes mist over, laughter rings out; and as the speaker
concludes his or her loving tribute, the person they are
honoring rises from their chair and gives them the biggest
bear hug! Wouldn't that be something! The special person
gets to hear the stories and come to the realization that
they have made a difference on this earth. And all this is
done well before they leave their earthly bodies and go into
eternity. And when the inevitable funeral finally comes, we
can say good bye with the knowledge that they knew exactly
how people felt about them while they were here on earth.
I now have a stronger resolve to tell those around me how
much they mean to me. I am going to let my wife know just
how loved and appreciated she is, not only by my words, but
also by my actions. I am going to play Batman with my four
year old more often, and in the middle of our romping, I am
going to grab him, hug him tightly, and tell him how
thankful I am that he is my son. I am going to sneak into my
sleeping toddler's bedroom, place my lips on his chubby
cheek, and thank God for the bundle of joy he has brought
into my life. Each day I will make a point to tell both of
my boys how much I love them, whether they are four or
eighteen! From there, I am going to let family and friends
know the tremendous impact they have had on my life. And
last but not least, I am going to let the high school
players I coach know that I look forward to each and every
minute that I get to spend with them in the gym.
Do you love someone? Then tell them! Has someone been an
influence in your life? Then give them a call! Has someone
made a difference in your life? Then write them a letter or
send them an email! Don't let another day go by without
letting that person know. There is something special about a
written letter that expresses feelings of love towards
another. I don't know about you, but I have letters and
cards from people that I have saved for years, and from time
to time, I get them out and reread them. They can turn a
depressing day into one where you realize just how blessed
and loved you are.
Life is too short to leave kind words unsaid. The words you
say, or the letter you write, might just make all the
difference in the world. |
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