Last Monday the father of Lillian Hamilton, a young lady who plays for my brother’s varsity basketball team, passed away unexpectedly.
Lillian’s team had a game scheduled the following evening.
Upon hearing about the tragedy, my brother immediately decided to cancel the game. He knew the team and especially Lillian would be in no condition to play a basketball game. He also knew that the game was minor compared to the overwhelming situation Lillian and her family were facing.
To my brother’s surprise, Lillian requested that the game be played. She said her dad would have wanted it that way. My brother reluctantly gave in to her wishes after talking with her mother.
The game was against a very solid opponent and considering everything that was going on, I figured my brother’s team would get blown out.
What I observed was just the opposite. His kids rallied around Lillian and scratched and clawed their way to a hard-fought victory. What was even more amazing is that Lillian played a very solid game.
After the game, as I walked out of the gym and headed toward my truck, I became overwhelmed with various emotions. I was pained and saddened for Lillian whose life will never be the same. I was amazed and in awe of how her teammates rallied around her. I was proud of the way my brother handled the game. He usually has an ‘edge’ to him but his edge on this night seemed a bit relaxed…but he still had his edge.
Then I thought about the resilience these kids showed in a very difficult situation which told me a lot about their character. Then for some reason I remember thinking, “America is going to be just fine.”
There’s a lot being said about our youngest generations (Gen Y and Gen Z) these days, and it’s not all good. In fact much of it is negative. This often pains me because Lori and I have raised three ‘Millennials,’ aka Gen Y’s.
Generation Y’s were born between 1980 and 1994. Generation Z’s were born between 1995 and 2015. The young ladies on my brother’s basketball team are Gen Z’s.
I often hear old ‘codgers’ lament the fact that the younger generations have no work ethic and that they are snowflakes–which is a term that means they are more prone to take offense and are less resilient and more fragile than previous generations.
When I was a ‘kid’ growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, I remember people from the greatest generation (born 1910-1924) and the silent generation (born 1925-1945), pondering whether or not my generation (baby boomers) would amount to a hill of beans. Somehow we made it.
On January 15, 2019 I witnessed a group of young Gen Z’s showing amazing resilience in the face of a tragic situation. No matter what anyone says, our great nation is going to be just fine.
Morals to this writing:
- Life is short and has a way of throwing curve balls at us. Make sure you live while you’re alive.
- Don’t ever underestimate the resilient nature that is born into all Americans regardless of when they were born.
- Instead of bitching about the younger generations, try understanding them and in-turn embrace their differences. But most of all pray they will continue to carry on the resilient character trait that has lived throughout our great country’s 243 year journey.
- Most importantly, keep Lillian in your thoughts and prayers. The ballgame last Tuesday night was a short reprieve from the pain she will be experiencing in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
Psalm 100:5, “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”
