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.
