One
of the girls in my Grade 7 class, Stephanie Bennett, wrote an essay
recently which touched my heart. As adults we often think that children
are arrogant and cocky, acting like they have all of the answers. In fact,
they are usually the complete opposite. They are the ones with all of the
questions. And the questions they ask are no different from the ones that
adults struggle with every day.
Stephanie’s essay
is entitled, “Losing Someone...” I think you will enjoy it and I know
it will make you realize that no one has answers to the really important
questions of the day.
“I
believe losing someone to death is the hardest thing a person can endure.
People think death is scary, which is possibly true. I think dying in a
hospital is the worst. My Grandpa died in a hospital and watching dad cry
was the hardest.
I
was seven but devastated. I remember when I used to take candy from his
candy dish. When he caught me he’d say something like, “Don’t you
like the black candy babies?” I would say “yes” even though I
don’t, just to make him happy.
I
don’t understand life. When we die, do we go to Heaven or Hell? How can
the Lord judge someone by good or bad? Some people live a meaningless life
where they are abused each day and slavery rules. Why would God want
people to suffer? Did I lead a previous life? Who is my Guardian Angel?
Are the apocalypse predictions true?
My
Dad and Grandpa were going to go on a ski trip to Alaska, but Grandpa had
a stroke and couldn’t go. I plan, when I’m older, to take my Dad
before it’s too late for him too. Life is a precious thing from God, and
we should live life to the fullest.”
I
don’t have any answers for you Stephanie. Oh, I’m sure many people
could give you their explanations, but when all is said and done the final
conclusion will still come down to the fact that no one really understands
life.
Why do bad things
happen to good people? Why do some people suffer so much and other people
go through life with no problems or worries? Who decides? Is life all
planned out when we are born? Do we really have any control over our own
destiny?
Life is a mystery.
So it stands to reason that death would be even more of a mystery. You are
not alone, Stephanie. But I must say that you are years ahead of yourself
in terms of wisdom. You understand that life is precious and that we
should all live life to the fullest. You also understand that if you want
to do something with a loved one, the earlier the better. You never know
when you will get a second chance. Enjoy your skiing trip with your Dad. I
know he will love every minute of it.
For the rest of us,
let’s remember that it doesn’t hurt to ask questions. Without
questions we would never have an opportunity to think about answers, and
we would never have an opportunity to realize that life is just one big
mystery with no solution.
Take Stephanie’s
advice. Go on that skiing trip with your parents. Plan that vacation with
your children. Spend a weekend away in a cabin alone with your wife. Send
your wife a bouquet of flowers for no reason. Don’t wait until it’s
too late - you never know when you’ll get that second chance.
Have a good week!
