The Alpha & Omega of Heartbreak

Life is an unbroken circle

Segmented by chapters of changes

We are born, we live, we die

Our energy is recycled back into the earth

If we are lucky, something remains of our time here:

A child, a published work, a difference in another’s life

Every death is followed by a new life

Somewhere…

But there is sadness in the knowledge

That the person we hold dear

No longer walks the earth

Even more sadness when they have been taken

From us instantly with no warning

My heart breaks for two recent deaths

One, a boy of 17 and the other

A young man of 19 who has lost his father

Both were unexpected, both are heart-wrenching

And there is always the back story-

The grim details of life that make the story of death

All the more poignant

The All American Football Star headed to Notre Dame

Literally the golden boy with the best of all possible futures ahead of him

Weeks away from graduation at a top Jesuit Boys’ High School

One costly mistake changes his life and the lives of so many around him

Forever….

Then there is the 53 year old father still living out his high school glory days

As the celebrated Football Star

Wishing his sensitive, poetic son would take an interest in sports

Battling through his son’s teenage years, not knowing how to deal with a depressed

kid who self-mutilated away the pain of existence

Now relishing in the transformational change in maturity that college brings

To their new relationship

They become close, only to lose each other once again

Forever….

So much sadness amid the bright hues of spring:

Red tulips, purple crocus, tender green leaves, yellow dandelions

The reminder that life is reaching up, out of the ground

Sending its tentacles skyward toward the sun

You see, the seasons go on, despite the grieving

Life is an unbroken circle

Segmented by chapters of changes

We are born, we live, we die

Our energy is recycled back into the earth

If we are lucky, something remains of our time here:

A child, a published work, a difference in another’s life

Or the silent observer who knows the back story…….

Deep within the St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter of New Orleans

A candle burns brightly carrying prayers for these men skyward.

4/12/10

Copyright Michelle Beckham-Corbin 2010

Big Blue Line Mourns Another Fallen Brother

Social Media is changing how the world communicates. The ability to quickly spread news across various social media vehicles certainly is a benefit from bygone days with much slower communication methods. Take a look at how fast news of the election protests in Iran and the earthquake in Haiti spread on Twitter in the past year. Images and video were captured and launched around the world to thousands within minutes, long before traditional media was broadcasting on the ground.

When sad news hits close to home, it becomes even more evident how useful social media applications can become in spreading important messages quickly. On the evening of Friday, April 2nd, well-known St. Xavier High School Senior football star and USA Today First Team All-American, Matt James, died after falling off a balcony at his hotel while on Spring Break in Panama City, Florida. The news spread rapidly via text messages and a Facebook Group Page was quickly established: “R.I.P. Matt James”. The Facebook Group Page posted over 3,000 members by Saturday morning (roughly a 12 hour time span) and nearly 8,000 in less than 24 hours. St. Xavier students used social media to put out a call for action to meet at the school for a prayer vigil at 11:00 p.m. Friday night. The Facebook Group Page gave mourners a place to share their thoughts and memories about Matt and to offer condolences to his family.

Matt James was a young man loved by many with incredible talents both on and off the football field. He was scheduled to graduate in June and join fellow football recruit Luke Massa at Notre Dame for the fall under former UC coach Brian Kelly. St. Xavier spokesperson, Mark Motz, was quoted on the ESPN College Football Website as saying about Matt, “His message was that we have to take care of one another."

St. Xavier, the largest Jesuit boys’ school in the United States, is known for their motto: “Men For Others”. Last night, the students of St. Xavier exemplified this belief as they quickly organized a prayer vigil and ensured that their classmates heard the news about their fallen brother as soon as possible, given that many had fanned out with family for the start of Spring Break. Unfortunately, for this tight-knit community, this was a drill that they had been through before. I wrote about a similar call to action last fall, when students rallied together to support Junior classmate Kevin Le, after he was struck by a car. Kevin hung on to life for several days prior to succumbing to his substantial injuries. Read about Kevin Le HERE.

Funeral arrangements are still pending at the time of this posting. Please check the Facebook Group Page for additional details or to leave your thoughts on the Wall.

As you approach this holiday weekend, take some time to unplug: turn off the smart phones, notebooks and laptops and spend some quality time with friends and family. You won’t regret it…..

Copyright Michelle Beckham-Corbin 2010