Life and Death on the Planet Earth

Written by: Daniel

This is Ryan, an old friend from high school. In tenth grade some mutual friends introduced me to Ryan. Over the next two years Ryan and I spent quite a bit of time together. Despite having a reputation of being a goof ball Ryan was surprisingly considerate and thoughtful. I mean, we had good times hanging out in the mountains, playing video games, and sucking helium but we also had long high school-type conversations. By our senior year we had parted ways, not because of a falling out or anything of that nature but we just developed different interests and friendships. I was far more needy and an attention hog while Ryan was more independent and a free thinker. We both went on missions about the same time but Ryan married almost a year before I did. We crossed paths a couple times and exchanged pleasantries but we have not spoken in several years.

About ten days ago Ryan was killed in a motorcycle accident.He left behind a wife and three daughters; the youngest child is only five or six months old. This has been weird. I am no stranger to death but this is the first high school buddy of mine to die and it has left me feeling a bit vulnerable even though we had not seen or heard from each other in several years. I guess this has been a somber reminder that there is an end to our lives here on this earth, and it can come to anyone of us.

One theologian declared that “death eventually comes to all mankind. It comes to the aged as they walk on faltering feet. Its summons is heard by those who have scarcely reached midway in life’s journey, and often it hushes the laughter of little children. Death is one fact that no one can escape or deny.” I guess Ryan had “scarcely reached midway in life’s journey,” and this seems hardly fair. For crying out loud the guy had a wife and three beautiful daughters, I have a great wife but only three dumb animals, would it not make more sense taking away someone like me?

But let’s be honest, life frequently does not make sense. The same religious thinker wrote that, “Frequently death comes as an intruder. It is an enemy that suddenly appears in the midst of life’s feast, putting out its lights and gaiety. Death lays its heavy hand upon those dear to us and at times leaves us baffled and wondering. In certain situations, as in great suffering and illness, death comes as an angel of mercy. But for the most part, we think of it as the enemy of human happiness.” I’m sure this is a concept Ryan’s family has had to struggle with for nearly two very long, painful weeks.

There is something I have wondered about since learning of the circumstances surrounding Ryan’s untimely death. From what I understand there was about half an hour between the motorcycle accident and his death and for the most part he was conscious. I have spent a lot of time wondering what Ryan was thinking about during that brief time period that must have felt like an eternity to him. Did he know he was going to die? Did he think about his wife? His girls? Was he wondering when help would arrive? Many of us would be begging God to spare our lives but I don’t think this is what Ryan was doing. He was no wimp and was no stranger to physical pain, it seemed like he was always getting hurt. For example, towards the end of high school Ryan broke his femur, the strongest bone in the human body and was sentenced to a wheelchair and crutches for several months. No, I just can’t see Ryan pleading with God for his life; he was just too tough. But this was a generous and helpful guy who really did care about people. I like to think he was praying for his young family, that no matter what happened they would be cared for and safe. Yep, Ryan stared death in the face and though it was not a welcomed event I'm confident he was no coward.

Death is a strange even spiritual event. For those that move on they have countless pesky questions answered, but for those that are left behind we cannot help but question ourselves, are we ready? What if we encountered tomorrow that unfortunate yet unavoidable experience? After all, it is possible, almost two weeks ago it happened to a friend of mine. I hope I am ready but I must admit, I feel completely inadequate and unprepared. However, I hope to follow the lead set by one group of people from the holy scriptures who “never did look upon death with any degree of terror, for their hope and views of Christ and the resurrection; therefore death was swallowed up to them by the victory of Christ over it.” Gulp…I have a long ways to go.

But until then, here’s to you Ryan, sorry it had to end so soon and sorry we did not stay in touch. You’ve left a legacy my friend and forged on in an area that I am simply not ready to face. Rock on buddy, and I'll see ya soon.