Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Life is short
There was an occurrence at Dickey-Stephens ballpark in North Little Rock that was so sudden and final it is almost beyond words, but here are a few anyway.
Death is the most natural and common of happenings. It is right up there with birth. There is a prayer in the Great Litany of the Anglican tradition which says, “from sudden death, good Lord Deliver us.” It is a fearful thought to imagine that one might die unprepared, and none of the hundreds of families present were prepared for what the witnessed.
The first base coach of the Tulsa Drillers is dead after being struck by a foul ball. Mike Coolbaugh was hit in the side of the head in the top of ninth inning. In North Little Rock on the same day, a fleeing purse-snatcher randomly murdered another man. There were many witnesses in both instances.
If you are expecting me to make sense of this, get ready to be disappointed. Let us always remember the shortness and uncertainly of human life. Two men were enjoying the day when their lives were snuffed without notice. There comes a time when there are no more “I love you”’s and no more chances to say “sorry” or “thanks.” The day is coming when there may not even be a simple “good-bye.” Time is our most valuable possession.
(Broadcast July 24, 2007)
Death is the most natural and common of happenings. It is right up there with birth. There is a prayer in the Great Litany of the Anglican tradition which says, “from sudden death, good Lord Deliver us.” It is a fearful thought to imagine that one might die unprepared, and none of the hundreds of families present were prepared for what the witnessed.
The first base coach of the Tulsa Drillers is dead after being struck by a foul ball. Mike Coolbaugh was hit in the side of the head in the top of ninth inning. In North Little Rock on the same day, a fleeing purse-snatcher randomly murdered another man. There were many witnesses in both instances.
If you are expecting me to make sense of this, get ready to be disappointed. Let us always remember the shortness and uncertainly of human life. Two men were enjoying the day when their lives were snuffed without notice. There comes a time when there are no more “I love you”’s and no more chances to say “sorry” or “thanks.” The day is coming when there may not even be a simple “good-bye.” Time is our most valuable possession.
(Broadcast July 24, 2007)
