Frailty and what matters
Tracy Garis
Today (June 10, 2010), my wife and I are attending the funeral of Tracy Garis, a 20 year old college student who died tragically in a car accident. She was a Resident Assistant on campus and member of the National Honor Society. During the school year she attended my church. She wanted to be a dental hygienist but she won’t.
Today, I’m thinking about frailty.
Life’s frailty gives value to opportunities. Tracy’s death reminds me to seize opportunities rather than over scrutinize, excuse, and cling to the status quo. I hate the thought of living an, “I could have life.” Doesn’t, “I could have made a difference,” sound pathetic?
Life’s frailty infuses joy into the ordinary.
Life’s frailty enhances the worth of the common.
The fact that we are here one moment and gone the next gives meaning to this moment.
Tracy’s death reminds me to do less of the things that don’t matter and more of the things that do.
What matters? The feel of my wife’s hand in mine matters. Lifting up rather than putting down matters. Authenticity matters.
Its 4:50 a.m., I just heard the first birds yawning outside. It’s the start of another day.
You matter.
Frailty gives value to opportunity but also gives opportunity to compromise our values. seizing opportunities is good but how ? by any means? I think, the real opportunity should have ethical and moral dimension. Focusing on frailty means focusing on anything mostly valueless and not sustainable. Frailty gives joy ie momentary and not happiness. so we have to decide whether we need joy or happiness.People who have moral weakness don’t hold value in their lives. They consider trivial things valuable and people having moral integrity uphold values and never compromise that, because that is the thing remain after you have gone and nothing else. So, what we need value or gains. The means of value is honest and the means of other is dishonest.
An uplifting post Dan in difficult times. What a beautiful expression of your love of people generally, your will to keep growing and your love for family. 20 is too young, I feel deeply for her parents and family. Bless. Richard
My thoughts and prayers are with Tracy’s family and friends.
My condolence to Tracy’s family and friends in their time of sadness. Although we should plan for the future…we need to live and make the most of the moment…because tomorrow is promised to no one…
Truth and beautiful Dan. ::hugs::
according to me frailty is nothing but the weakness in life, we get many oppurnities in life but we get to know the real worth of that oppurtunity only after frailty, it’s very awful to read about late tracy garis , but seeing that scenario we really understand , what life’s all about?life is not certain so it’s very mandatory to have a keen eyes on the oppurtunities in our way, rather than to think about frailty or weaknesses in life.
Ajay,
I find your response to Dan’s post particularly unpleasant and think you have completely misunderstood Dan’s point. Life is brief, and making the most of the short time we have is the best gift we can give ourselves or our loved ones. Dan was not talking about “trivial matters” at all.
Kathleen,
I respect your sentiment. In a brief life, we should make use of opportunitty rather than trade off. What I meant that, in a short
life, one should see what is valuebased and what is valueless. I
have tried to differentiate between these two.
Thank you Ajay for your response clarifying what you meant, and of course we should see what is valuable. Life, love, family, and things about which you are passionate are those valuable things to me.
I will pray for her family (and her extended friendship/church family, including you). My sister in law died in her sleep at the age of 30 (in 1993) leaving behind a 6 year old, 3 year old, and 6 month old. As the youngest of those children turns 17, I am struck by the impact that had on my life — the constant question of “if this is my last interaction with you, what will you remember?”. From reading around about Tracy, she sounds like she radiated joy and humor among so many; what a gift she gave.
Tragedies often remind us of what a precious gift we are given each day we wake up and our families are safe. I cherish reminders to appreciate my spiritual and physical wealth. My prayers are with this young girl and her family.
Too young, too soon.
In a moment…
Life’s gossamer frailty revealed…
In this moment…
Tracy’s heart remembered and revered…
In a moment…
A heart will begin to heal…
In our moment…
A legacy we avow…
For those who left us too soon…
This is the moment…
Before we leave too soon…
This is your moment.
Simply beautiful Doc…..
Well stated, Dan. Unfortunately we all need experiences like this to finally push that message into our thick self-centered skulls. To know that she is hanging with God and doing work for Him in heaven now, It makes the loss of her Earthly self more of a blessing. I know I’ll see her again and experience her smile that can light up an entire room. Keep up the good work Dan.
Adam Groff
Faith Based Optimism
http://faithandoptimism.wordpress.com
It’s tragedies like this that make us pause and turn our thoughts inward. I ask myself, am I so busy that I’m missing life, real life? And even as we quietly reflect, God is using Tracy to change all of us for the better. Thanks for sharing your heart, Dan.