Here we are in 2012. This is the time that people resolve to change. What changes should you be making this new year? Do you need to reduce debt? Do you need to start contributing or increase your contribution to your 401k at work? Maybe I should be saving more for little Reagan’s education. That’s her picture in the thumbnail. I’ll use any excuse to show her or her sister off! While all of those are awesome New Year’s resolutions, my New Year wish is a little different.
Last Thursday one of my best buddies, Brad “The Dalai Lama” LaMontagne suffered his fourth heart attack and had his 6th, 7th and 8th stints put in his heart. For the third time that I can remember he nearly left Mary a widow but obviously God has other plans for Brad here on earth.
But Brad’s close encounter with death got me thinking about Kris Allen’s song, “Live like we’re dying”. He sings, “We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to turn it all around or to throw it all away. We gotta tell them that we love them while we got the chance to say. (We) gotta live like we’re dying.” If I knew this was my last day is this the day I want to live? Today was a holiday, so I did not go in the office. I did not manage any accounts or see any clients or prospects today which I normally would have done on a Monday. Instead I hung out with the twins and Grace this morning; read part of the book I am reading; then spent the afternoon working with Pablo on the TCFin website. Of course I also wrote this blog and you know what? I think I lived like I was dying.
Brad wrote a bunch us an email today chronicling his experience over the last couple of days. This is what he wrote:
What a way to start the New Year! I just wanted to drop you a note to let you all know what happened for those who don’t know my latest death defying episode, or for those who heard but don’t have the latest news. Yesterday I was released from the hospital after having my fourth heart attack and stints 6, 7, & 8 installed last Thursday. I thought I might be approaching some kind of record, but a guy just had his 28th stint put in, so I won’t win that contest and of course have no further desire to compete. God was once again gracious to me to allow me to have the heart attack while I was close to a hospital and allowed me to get there pretty quick and have the stints installed within an hour or so. Just a few days before I was on a 6 mile hike to the Channels which is a very long away from any medical care, thank God. I drove myself to the hospital, which I would not recommend. Driving on I-81 at 85 mph with one eye open and repeating a different way of saying horse poop because heart attacks hurt pretty bad, is not a lot of fun. The verdict is still out as to how much damage was done this time around, but it looks like it might be minimal again. I still have two more pretty serious blockages of 65 and 80% in my left Coronary artery which I will have to deal with in the near future. It has only been a year and a half since my last heart attack, when my main arteries were pretty clean, so it is not very good news that I have developed 5 major blockages in such a short period of time. My body has become quite proficient at building up plaque. My future is in God’s hands and I trust He will give me life and breathe, (hopefully many years of breathing) in His perfect timing.
Having another near death experience reminds me again how very important my three girls are to me in my life. I am grateful that Brittany and Audra were both here during the Christmas holiday, which means they were here to give me much needed support and love during my stay in the hospital. I love them so very much and I cannot imagine life without them. Now Mary, that’s a girl that’s been put through the ringer. I have tried to die on her 5 times now (once when I had an allergic reaction to Lipitor) but she continues to be my most ardent supporter and love of my life. Please pray for her because the one left behind is in the position to have to make all those very tough adjustments. Although she made me promise she could go first, so I can be the one making the adjustments. We do so much together from running our business, taking care of Mom and Gari, running the ranch and horses and so much more. But of course, most important, is how she has been the love of my life and best friend for more than 26 years.
I guess the contemplation of dying and death, which I now have had ample opportunity to consider, is a healthy and an enlightening thing. It reminds you that you will indeed live forever, it’s just a matter of where. I am so blessed to know where I will be when it does indeed happen to me, and eventually to all of us. I love my doctor and friend Jim’s saying, “everyone’s gonna die of something”. I am so indebted to Jesus who died for my sins, and through my acceptance of His free gift of salvation, gives me the assurance of my eternal place. If you are not sure, let’s talk.
Life is good, life is great and I look forward to spending some time with you guys, my great family and friends.
Brad’s perspective is awesome. We are both 50-somethings and as Billy Crystal told the classroom of eight year olds in City Slickers when you are in your fifties you’ll have a “procedure”. Well, Brad you’ve had more than enough procedures for both of us. But I know you are living life not only preparing to live eternity with Jesus but to influence your world. To impact your brother, Gari’s life. To make your mom’s last years joyous. To guide Brittany and Audra on the path of righteousness. To be my Dalai Lama. To be Mary’s husband.
So here’s my New Year’s Resolution…whether I am working with a client, playing golf, reading a book, sharing my testimony, speaking at some far off conference or sleeping next to Grace, I want to be living like I’m dying. I want to be influencing the world for Jesus, just like my Dalai Lama.