Honour Thy Fathers
Douglas Clayton Beatty
John Stewart Keeley
Colan Carey Beverly
Joe Franklin Maxwell
These four men have had a profound impact on the way that I see the world. Father figures. Senseis. Wise men. Doug and John were my two dads. Colan and Frankie were my wife’s two dads. Each of them were great men in their own rights. Each of them were also imperfect humans. Works in progress who made mistakes in life, like every one of us. They lived. They learned. They loved and were loved. Were loved and are loved. I miss them all.
Not to second guess God, but it seems that each of them died way too young. They were full of life and vitality. And in the blink of an eye, they were gone. I don’t think that an early exit was on any of their agendas. (But who knows? Some people have premonitions of their deaths and each of these men had a at least a part of them that was very introverted., so they likely would have kept it to themselves.) They had plans for the present. Plans for the future. Then they took their last breaths.
They all died at less than 65 years of age. Less than 65 years of age… According to the CDC, the life expectancy of American men was about 73 years. As I have reflected on their early deaths, one after another, I couldn’t help but wonder if life had dealt me a dead man’s hand. Am I destined for an early death too? Will I make it past 65?
Here’s the thing. No one knows when their number will be up. I’ve seen perfectly healthy young children get injured and pass away before my eyes. With me pleading with God to give them more time if it’s His will, pumping their heart between the palms of my hands. I’ve treated the drunk driver and their victim in side by side beds, and watched the driver go to off in police custody uninjured while the victim is carted off to the morgue. I’ve also seen people who make every bad lifestyle choice possible tip toe along with one foot in the grave into their 80s. It doesn’t seem just. It doesn’t seem fair. But it’s the way that it is and no one can change it. Reality is sometimes harsh.
As I continued to reflect on their deaths and my own mortality, it all began to make sense. Through the time that we spent together, they taught me many lessons. Directly and indirectly. Sometimes what to do. Sometimes what not to do. But in their deaths collectively, it dawned on me that they had one final lesson to teach me.
No one knows how many breaths they will take or how much time they will be granted on earth, so it is our duty to live each day as if it could be our last.
This isn’t a call to adopt a fatalistic attitude and give up on life. It’s not a call to hedonism or irresponsibility. It’s a call to action. A call to arms. Look at your life. Are you where you want to be? Are you with who you want to be with? Do you have habits that are holding you back? People that are holding you back? Are you doing what makes you happy? If not, it’s time for a change. Something has to give. Either your mind set or your situation. Maybe both in some situations., but the point is, we can’t wait. We need to act now. After all, what’s the definition of insanity?
Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, I’m thinking about writing a book on this topic. Let me know if you think the topic is book worthy.
