What Lies Between

Does anyone remember any two-month period in recent history where so many notable deaths occurred? June and July of 2009 has been a whirlwind of earthly departures the likes of which, I do not personally recall – some more famous than others. Some shocked us, as in the cases of pop star Michael Jackson and Actor David Carradine; others did not, as was the case with television personality Ed McMahon and newsman Walter Cronkite. Actress Farrah Fawcett revealed to the world in a documentary her struggle with the cancer that eventually took her life. Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair, on the other hand, maintained a secret life that became all too public when, because of it, he lost his life. So prolific was Death in the months of June and July with regard to famous people that many of us began to wonder what was happening! Was it just a coincidence that so many famous people had met their end in such close proximity of each other? Or was there design at work – a Divine message being broadcasted?

Now, I’m just a guy thinking, but whether you believe it was all just a coincidence or if it was God (or whomever you believe in) trying to tell us something, you cannot argue that eyebrows began to be raised with each announcement of yet another star’s death. Many of us have heard of the “3-factor” theory of death – that is, the belief that death occurs in groups of 3’s within (conveniently enough) three different categories: 1) the sickly; 2) the aged; and 3) the untimely. Where this theory came from, I do not know -- just bear with me. The theory states, in essence, that deaths of notable (or even not-so-notable) people tend to occur in a relatively quick succession of three people meeting their maker. For example, you may know of someone that passed away very recently. As the theory goes, stand by – because two more people that you know, or know of are about to experience that eternal transition as well.

So, what does it mean when the 3-factor theory is turned on its proverbial head and one is now tasked with formulating a 6-factor theory of death? Or an 8-factor theory? Or a 10-factor theory? What does it all mean? Personally, I do not subscribe to models of coincidence. As a Christian man, I believe that God has a plan formulated for the specific purpose of bringing people closer to Him and into greater communion with one another. He accomplishes these tasks by whatever means He deems appropriate. I am not going to preach a sermon – and that’s your loss because I have some really good ones! But I will say that basic tenets of human interaction and brotherly love and decency should always be gleaned from the passing away of another human being. The manner or the circumstances under which a person dies may relay a lesson about long-suffering, faith and human perseverance. Or it may be a cautionary tale to bear in mind lest you meet the same fate. Each lost life is no less lost than another. And it is a destination to which we will all travel.

What is most important, I believe, is the hyphen. The hyphen on the tombstone, that is. The one that lies between the date we are born and the date we die. This is not an original thought, but it bears repeating. The hyphen is representative of all of our hopes, our dreams, our accomplishments, as well as our failures. It symbolizes what we have done with the time we have spent on earth – the choices we have made, the people we have met and most importantly, the lives we have touched, either positively or negatively. So, who have you made feel special? Who have you brought down? Whose life have you helped change for the better -- or for the worse? Who have you said “I love you” to – and when was the last time you said it to them? Because that last time, just may have been the last time. Death should always give us pause whether it is the death of a world-famous entertainer or a lonely, obscure homeless person on one of the many streets of our many big cities. Death should always serve as a notice that reads: “Get Your Hyphen In Order.” Hey – it’s just a thought . . .