#45 Life is Fragile

In our current society, we would rather ridicule and insult people rather than show kindness with our words and actions. I was reminded a couple of weeks ago, that when we are cruel, we might regret our words and actions more than we could ever know. If we would concentrate more on being kind with our words and actions, then when a tragedy occurs, our response can be one that people need in order to recover.

Last Friday night, July 12, 2019, my family and I went to the Angels baseball game. Usually, that is not a memorable event, but Friday was not an ordinary game for the Angels organization. It was their first home game since their beloved player, Tyler Skaggs, had died. He was only twenty-seven years old. He was a pitcher. Not only did the Angels win with 13 runs, and a no-hitter, they honored their friend and teammate by all wearing his jersey with his #45 and name, until the end of the game when they all laid the jerseys on the mound. It was a beautiful tribute.

We can only give that type of tribute to someone when we treat him or her well when they are alive. My friend who is a die hard Angels fan gave me this title that life is fragile. How we treat people when they are alive is so much more important than how we honor them when they die.

How we live our lives every day can mean so much to others. The tribute was only beautiful because Tyler Skaggs had been a positive influence on his teammates and the community. His sudden death at a young age reminds me that we always need to live life to the fullest and make an impact on those around us, which will make an impact on the world. It doesn’t have to be anything of grandeur. It just needs to make a difference in someone else, and then it will move forward to others. Like the ripple effect of the pebble dropped in the water, one small act of kindness can go further than what we may ever know.

In our current society, there is so much hatred and violence. Many people struggle with depression and emotional issues. Small acts of kindness can make a difference in a person’s life. I know it’s something I have to do. I don’t have to agree with their politics, religion, or how they live, but an act of kindness to let them know that they matter can mean so much to someone.

Life is fragile and sacred. Tyler wore #45. He took time in his life to serve others. I’m looking at his number that is significant to the Angels. Then, I thought about it.  In the measurement of time, forty-five seconds, minutes, hours, or days are not very large increments of our lives, but they can become significant. Forty-five seconds is not quite a minute. Forty-five minutes is not quite an hour. Forty-five hours is not quite two full days, and forty-five days is a month and a half. Time is precious, but if we are honest with ourselves, we waste a lot of it. I know I do. So, I’m going to try a challenge for myself with the number forty-five. Here are some ideas.

·      Maybe for forty-five minutes we could be kind to someone that is difficult.

·      Maybe for forty-five days we could do one kind act no matter how small. 

·      Maybe for forty-five seconds we can stop and think before we post something on social

           media, and then decide to write it in a way that is not condemning or mean.

·      Maybe for forty-five people we can do something that would let them know that someone cares.

Tyler Skaggs was only twenty-seven years old, but he made a difference both on and off the field and number forty-five will always be in the hearts of his teammates, family, and friends, and hopefully, the number forty-five will become a ripple effect to those who need it the most.