When I think about death, I often imagine the elderly. Someone who's lived a full life, had time to make mistakes and learn from them, and pass their wisdom on to young ones. Unfortunately the reality is that young people die every day. But once again, for me personally, there are usually negative connotations with those who die young. We hear about the drunk driving, substance abuse, domestic violence, so it's easy to forget that sometimes kid's die because they're sick. It's sad to think about.
I've been really bothered since hearing about Wes Leonard, the 16-year-old basketball player who died after his game on Thursday. The junior scored the game-winning shot in over time of his school's basketball game, clinching a perfect season for the Fennville Blackhawks. In a matter of moments he went from being on top of the world to rock bottom. Leonard died from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition in which prevents the heart from pumping blood to the rest of the body.
The whole thing bothers me for two main reasons.
1) Timing. From being held up high on your teammates shoulders to lying on the floor in a matter of moments. No sign or signal, nothing. It just happened. In the blink of an eye. Just like that. I can't get over how quickly it happened. To just have scored the game-winning lay-up of a game that sealed the deal on a perfect season...it's just not right.
2) The person. From everything we hear Leonard was not only an outstanding athlete, but an amazing person as well. I'm guessing he impacted the lives of many people in only his short-lived 16 years. Someone so young and influential, it's so unfair that society should be robbed of his presence.
I wish I could do a better job of putting it into words, but there isn't anything to say. I get goosebumps and am overcome with sadness thinking about it. Who's to say that won't be me tomorrow, or you?
We all try to live life the "right" way. But why? Do we do it for ourselves? To know we're the best? Do we do it for others? Satisfy people so we're considered likeable and have more friends? We all make decisions we think will shape the path for our future when the truth is the future isn't even guaranteed. I know I'm totally guilty of living this way, we all are at some point. So I'm gonna start staying out later, taking more chances, expressing the way I really feel. No more putting things off, no more "I'll do it tomorrow" in case tomorrow never comes.
RIP Wes Leonard. You're in our thoughts and prayers.
