My grandmother used to say, “The reason we as humans can’t fully understand the beauty and wonder of Heaven is that God has placed us all in the Garden of Eden – here on Earth. With all the beauty and grandeur around us in our daily lives, even our powerful brains cannot envision anything greater.”
With all the “bad news” in today’s world – COVID-19 pandemic, monkeypox, war in Ukraine, famine in Somalia, high inflation, financial market uncertainty, political instability, national border insecurity, crime rates increasing, school shootings, church shootings, etc., etc., etc., we would think this is truly the worst of times. When we remove ourselves from this onslaught of “bad news,” and, granted, there is some truly bad news in the world today, we find that the world is still a most awesome place. As Peter Diamandis, the best-selling author, physician, engineer, entrepreneur, founder of the X-Prize and Singularity University, stated in his first book, “We are at the dawning of the age of abundance.” By virtually every measure, we live in the most comfortable, most at peace, most well-cared-for, era in all of history. Certainly, there are problems – this isn’t new. Yet we enjoy the bounty of all those who have come before us that paved this road of abundance. Some argue, perhaps rightfully so, that we have too much abundance, too much choice. I’m as spoiled as the next person in all we have as options in this world, especially here in America, and also in Kentucky, and Bowling Green in particular. Yet, for the most part, we share our talents with each other pretty well. We certainly have much for which to be thankful.
Just a few weeks ago, a friend of mine, and also friend to many in this community, lay in bed debilitated. His liver was dying. His only option for living was a transplant. I can’t possibly imagine how that must feel. His daughter was about to marry – the week of his transplant, in fact. His life was about to end. By the grace of God, and the generosity of another human being who chose to truly give the gift of life at the time of their own death, my friend received a liver transplant. This man, who had worked his entire life in public service in law enforcement, was about to die, yet was given more life by the simple, kind act of a stranger. He was given “life – more life,” as it says on the seal of WKU. In this instance, more life to enjoy the simple pleasures of watching loved ones grow and mature and travel their own paths and make their own choices. More life to give thanks and gratitude. More life to help others, as he had spent his life doing already. More life.
Another friend of mine just passed away. This guy had a profound impact on the lives of many. Many of those impacted never even met him. Rick Kelley was a visionary guy. He had big dreams. Some of those dreams came true. Our community was the benefactor of some of those grand dreams. Certainly, downtown Bowling Green would not have transformed without him and his dreams – and perseverance. I, for one, would sometimes question him and his dreams. He was okay with those questions from me and others. He kept going. Thank goodness. Downtown Bowling Green is beautiful and thriving again. It is also continuing to evolve and grow. Perhaps Rick’s greatest contribution to our community was his devotion to helping young people. Rick spent a large part of his time helping young people in our community in several ways. Coaching at East Little League for 43 years is his most publicly-known work. Countless numbers of young people were coached and encouraged by Rick. He truly left a wonderfully positive, indelible mark on the lives of these young folks. That alone is an awesome legacy. Rick was also devoted to his family, ever-present in their lives through the smooth and rough patches.
Both these friends are (just like me in this way) imperfect. They, we, are human beings, just like all of us in this world. Thank goodness. It would be awful if only some folks were perfect. I am grateful for the lives of these two men. For all their service to our community. For their examples as leaders, as friends, as fathers and husbands, and as people who gave much to others.
As we enter the Thanksgiving holiday month, my grandmother’s words echo in my mind. I am very grateful that God sends us angels. Sometimes they come to us in uniforms. Sometimes they wear State Trooper uniforms. Sometimes these angels even wear Mets uniforms.
My hope is for all reading this column to enjoy a grateful and joyful Thanksgiving season. If my team can help you in any way, please call on us.
-by Ben Smith
Registered Principal, RJFS
313 East 10th Ave. • Bowling Green, KY 42101 • Phone: 270-846-2656
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