Wednesday, March 9, 2011

In the Blink of an Eye.....

Our whole world can change. 

A few days ago, I heard a piece on the news about a 16-year boy who sank the winning shot at the overtime buzzer to lead his high school basketball team to a championship victory and a perfect season.  A few minutes later, he collapsed in the midst of the celebration and was pronounced dead at the hospital only two hours later.  He had an undiagnosed heart condition and suffered a massive heart attack.  His name was Wes Leonard. 

Wes Leonard, 16, being lifted to the shoulders of his teammates only moments before he collapsed.

When I heard this news on the radio in my car, I was overcome with grief and emotion.  As the mother of three grown children, I cannot even begin to imagine how his parents must feel. What a tragic loss for his family, his teammates and friends.  At one of the finest moments in his life, just as he was experiencing jubilation and joy over his accomplishment - literally being lifted to the shoulders of his teammates, his celebration was cut short and the lives of all those around him were changed in the blink of an eye. 


As my mind struggles to comprehend why something like this happens, my heart hears a soft whisper -

"You know not when I will come for you, my child.  
Learn this lesson - live every moment well and to the fullest, 
as if it were your last."   

When one day I find myself about to draw my breath, I would want to know:
  • I lived my life to the fullest, seizing every opportunity offered, without fear. 
  • I did right more than I did wrong and I learned from my mistakes.
  • When my head hit the pillow every night, I gave thanks for my many blessings.
  • Those special people around me knew, without a doubt, how much I loved them and how special they were to me because I told them and showed them daily.
Since none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, or even the next moment, we must choose to trust.  And believe.  For all the planning we do is for naught unless we are prepared to let go of this world and move on to the next with a ready and willing heart. 

My prayers go out to the Leonard Family, 
that they will know a special peace and comfort that can only come from our Creator. 

Think about it.


Jane

3 comments:

  1. What a tragic story. We have been talking about this in our family since a 16 year old boy was killed in a car accident from our church a few weeks ago. He was an only child and my heart grieves for those parents as I don't know what I would do if anything happened to my Jemma. I love the points you made and I think just by thinking about those, what a difference it can make in your life. You have to let go of the little things and live each moment for what it is. My heart goes out to this family. Thank you for sharing.

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  2. This was so sad, but your thoughts on living life to the fullest are important. I am visiting from the blog. I hope you will visit my blog, possibly the one titled 'Carpe Diem'
    childhoodmyths.blogspot.com

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  3. Tragic story, Jane. Beautiful words.

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