As I reflect back on 2011, it’s hard to ignore all of the negative and tragic events that occurred as well as those that potentially looms in the future. Is it possible the tragic death of a young man can also be a source of hope and encouragement as we begin 2012? Here’s some inspiration from Ben. Please read and let me know by leaving a comment.
The following is an excerpt from Steve Jobs’s commencement address to the Stanford class of 2005.
No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. …
Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
In his address, Steve states death is a destination we all share and our time is limited. While we were celebrating Christmas in our own family traditions a young man in Austin, Texas died. Eighteen-year-old Ben Breedlove arrived at the destination much earlier than he would have wanted, but I believe he was prepared for the journey.
Ben wrote, I was never allowed to play all the sports that my friends did… It kinda sucks that I missed out on that part of my life. I really just hoped that I could be the same as everyone else.”
Since he was 4 years old, Ben had “cheated death” several times by being revived after his heart stopped beating. He relates the episodes were scary, but during the last one, his visions were so peaceful he didn’t want to wake up. He wrote he had a vision of a white room in which he’s wearing a white suit and is with his favorite rapper, Kid Cudi.
“I then looked at myself in the mirror,” he wrote. “I was proud of MYSELF, of my entire life, everything I have done.”
He says the incident was on Dec. 6 after he passed out in a hallway at his high school, where he was a senior.
Ben’s Legacy
His mother, Deanne Breedlove, told the Austin newspaper the video brought joy to a tragic moment.
It was a gift to us,” she said, “And for him to be so confident and unafraid of death and to share it with other people was so touching.”
Ben had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which means the heart has different levels of thickness and can’t pump blood evenly.
In addition to the two pre-Christmas videos (consolidated into a single video below), Ben recorded others on his own YouTube channel discussing various teenage topics.
Kid Cudi blogged, “This has really touched my heart in a way I can’t describe … To Ben’s family, you raised a real hero, he’s definitely mine.”
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35O3E3T3GKQ&feature=related
Ben’s Obituary
Ben Breedlove. On Christmas night, our son, Ben Breedlove received a gift greater than any we could have given him. He stood in the presence of his Lord and Savior and felt the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Ben’s 18-year-old heart may have been afflicted with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, but his physical limitations didn’t keep him from experiencing the things he loved—in fact, he found extraordinary ways to expand on those experiences and take us all along for the ride.
He had a curiosity for learning (remember the drum kit?), and his quick, analytical mind sought ways to be the best at whatever captured his attention. He loved wakeboarding, shooting, and playing Call of Duty. His claim to fame was when he and his little brother, Jake, beat Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley in an online match.
And they did it gleefully! There are so many ways to describe Ben: he was witty, sharp, and funny, and his pranks were legendary. Just ask the unsuspecting drivers on City Park Road! He knew how to operate outside the system while accomplishing his goals in an honorable fashion.
While Ben never seemed to take anything seriously, his happy-go-lucky nature was matched with a warm, loving, and candid personality. His YouTube channel gives witness to what his legion of female admirers thought of him! And now the world has come to know our Ben. He was a genius at using the Internet to reach and influence his peers.
Through his brilliance with maneuvering the capabilities of YouTube, Ben has left a message for his generation. In the weeks prior to his death, he had faced some scary situations with his health, but had been given an amazing gift that he was determined to share; first with us, his family, and then, not surprisingly (and generously) with his YouTube audience.
We know the Lord used the amazing life of our precious son to reach a weary world on Christmas night, just as He did over 2000 years ago with his own Son. We invite you to visit YouTube, and just enter “Ben Breedlove” and receive the gift that Ben hoped would change your life. Ben was abundantly loved by his devoted family: parents, Shawn and Deanne; sister, Ally; and brother, Jake.
Waiting to start the party in Heaven were both his grandmothers, Jan Breedlove and Sue Raine. Ben left grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, countless friends of the family, fellow students at Westlake High School, and members of the Internet Generation to mourn the loss of his creativity, wittiness, and beautiful smile. Ben has left a lasting impression and legacy far beyond his 18 years.
While the pain of losing Ben will never be far, his life is serving a greater purpose. You were always full of surprises, Ben, and this is the best one yet! “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord.”
Conclusion
Our life is a precious gift, don’t take it for granted. Like Ben, our goal should be to look at ourselves in the mirror and be proud of ourself and our life. Please leave a comment on how this post affected you.
