The Speed of Life

            My father once wrote, “Nothing is as fast as the speed of life.”  Along the same lines, a spiritual friend of mine once told me that she believed that one way or another God would relieve us from pain. 

I’m not sure what pain Frank was in, but he passed away this summer.  He was a friend of a friend, though, upon meeting him, Frank instantly became an immensely important part of my life.  He was lovable in an indescribable way.  He was just Frank or "Knarf" as he liked to be called.  Knarf often reminded those around him to “Relax. Take it easy.”  I think Frank knew something most of us don’t; as Oscar Wilde once said, “Life is too short to be taken seriously.”

            This past November I lost my grandfather.  While we were not as close as perhaps we could have been, I loved him nonetheless.  Like Frank, Pop-pop was simply Pop-pop.  He never met a stranger.  He was the kind of guy that everyone, and I sincerely mean everyone, fell in love with instantaneously.  Stepping into a crowded elevator Pop-pop would turn, face his fellow riders and say, “I guess you’re wondering why I called this meeting.”  His playful banter was only part of his charm.  He loved my grandmother in a way that simply isn’t often found.  Sitting by his hospital bedside, our last visit is now a memory that I will cherish forever.  I was only to stay five minutes; I promised my parents and grandmother I would not tire him out.  But, he requested I stay.  We had a conversation I won’t soon forget.  I reminded him that my grandmother had said I was the most like him.  Pop-pop nodded, but added that while I had his humor for sure, I used it with a “sour face.”  I had thought that was part of the humor.  As it turns out, a smile works better.  He spoke of family, life, and, sadly, death.  My grandfather acknowledged he had led a good life and was ready to face whatever was next.  He was ready to go.  I wasn’t ready to let him, none of us were.  Oddly enough, though, I do smile more often.

            Today, I lost another hero, Joe Paterno.  It’s funny how a man I never actually met could trigger emotions so strong within me.  “JoePa” was a stand-up guy.  I am sad on so many levels.  I am sad and embarrassed by the way my Alma mater, Penn State treated him.  I am sad that he won’t see his good name restored, as I believe with everything I have that it will be.  I am sad for his wife, who was recently shunned by PSU as well.  But, even after the horrible mistreatment, Joe still donated a large sum of money back to the university that betrayed him.  There is a shrine to honor Paterno on campus.  Inscribed behind it is this: "They ask me what I'd like written about me when I'm gone. I hope they write I made Penn State a better place, not just that I was a good football coach."  He did just that.

            Over the last few months, I have asked the God of my understanding to slow things down.  Just press pause on life for a moment—let me process all that is around me.  Slow down the speed of life.  So far the answer has been no.  Learning from these giants in my life, I will simply have to relax, take it easy, try to make the world around me a better place, and to do so with a smile.