Thursday, September 17, 2009

Today, a friend of mine lost his grandchild; Beck wasn’t even a year old. He died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, I don’t know if that is consoling that he died peacefully or frightening because it could happen to any child. I am a father myself; my two daughters are 23 and 27. I can only imagine the pain that Becks’ family is experiencing; I believe that losing your own child would have to be the worst possible experience to have to deal with in this life. My heart goes out to his family.

When I heard that Beck died, I called my friend and his wife who are Becks’ grandparents to offer my condolences; unfortunately, I don’t know Becks’ parents that well. Even as I placed the call I was in a bit of disbelief; as the phone rang my mind raced thinking of what am I suppose to say… all of the standards came to mind and then they answered. Silence at first and then I finally said who was calling and that I had heard what happened; I offered my condolences and that I was so sorry for their loss and if there was anything that I could do to help the family. I know that this is not very original nor was I trying to be, I was only trying to find the words. Those words even though standard are comfort to some that they know that they are in our thoughts and prayers and meaningless to others. Fortunately, my words were accepted with thanks.

My friend is a man of the cloth and the question is what can you say to someone that knows the Bible better than I know what’s on my own driver’s license. I have no answers. To many people I know that this would be a test of faith, to others it would not be; I am part of the latter. We all have heard people ask why would God allow an innocent child to be harmed and allow evil people to prosper.

Perhaps we should be thankful that this child didn’t have to endure life in this world like the rest of us… this child is now with God, he was given a free pass; we must continue on and hopefully live a life that will lead us to God. Should we be as lucky as Beck; you may say he didn’t get a chance to grow up and experience life and I say turn on the television or look outside your front door and tell me what’s so great about it?!

Jesus said that we are like the lambs of the field and need a Sheppard; frankly I think Jesus is an optimist and lambs are getting a bad rap because people can be pretty damn stupid. We truly have no concept of what death is or for that matter even life.

We will never get to know Beck as he would have been in this life on earth and my heart goes out to those whose life now will be dimmer without him.

May we all be so lucky when it is our time… Godspeed Beck.