The front page of today’s Chicago Tribune is dominated by a heartbreakingly story of three young high school seniors from Chicago whose spring break bicycling trip ended tragically when all three of them were struck by a minivan. One of the young women was killed- the other two were seriously injured. What had been an exciting adventure and a celebration of their friendship was twisted beyond recognition in one awful instant. It’s the kind of story that leaves all of us shaking our heads in utter bewilderment – and for those of us with some personal connection to it, we are enveloped in sorrow.
My connection to one of these young women is distant- I have never met Kaia Tammen, one of the two 18-year-olds who survived the accident. But her dad, Bruce, is someone I have known in several different chapters of my life. While I was growing up in Decorah, Bruce was a student at Luther. . . and my mom met him and grew quite fond of it because he was a frequent visitor to the music office where she was secretary. Bruce was in our home a number of times, was my bible school teacher one summer, and directed a production of “The Wizard of Oz” in which I portrayed the Tin Man. I have tremendously fond memories of him from those days.
Six years later, I was standing on the stage of the Luther College recital hall, and just about to sing my choir audition – when a rich, resonant speaking voice cried out from the back of the hall “The Tin Man!” It was Bruce, who had come back to Luther as a voice teacher and conductor of the chapel choir. He was not my teacher there and I never sang in the chapel choir, but he and I crossed paths many times and I was the grateful recipient of his wise advice on more than one occasion – and his innovative and even daring repertoire choices for his choir were so exciting.
His departure before my junior year made way for Craig Arnold to begin his first stint with Luther’s faculty, and Bruce and I fell out of touch with each other altogether. Fast forward into the late 1980’s (I believe) and I had the pleasure of seeing Bruce again when he brought a fine choir and chamber orchestra from Chicago to the campus of Carthage to perform the Mass in B minor of J.S. Bach, one of the supreme monuments of Western Music and the kind of work that one only tackles if you’re brilliantly gifted, relentlessly determined, and a touch crazy to boot. It was extraordinary to experience this work in person (or at least a portion of it- I’m not remembering now if they performed this massive work in its entirety or not) and especially to hear it sung so musically under Bruce’s assured hand. There was also a lovely occasion when I got to reconnect with Bruce and his wife Esther in the home of our mutual friends, Steve and Jeri Smith. I remember much reminiscing, an impassioned game of Pictionary, and music making as well. Bruce was very much as I always remembered him- so full of joy, so smart and articulate. He was also as tall, blonde and charismatic as always, even though at that time he was contending with really serious back trouble that saddled him with constant pain and compromised mobility. But the sheer force of his vibrant personality swept all that aside.
It was yesterday that Bruce went on facebook with the stunning announcement about the accident in which his daughter had been injured. It says something about the modern world that in the immediate wake of something so awful, someone would choose to reach out in that way- and I’m so glad he did. There were instant responses of concern and love from Bruce and Esther’s many friends on Facebook – as clear a demonstration as I have ever seen of what makes on-line communities like this so cherishable. Later, as I was driving to Carthage, I heard mention made of the accident on a WGN newscast. Had I not seen Bruce’s facebook note, I never would have known that this accident involved the daughter of someone I know and admire. And later someone forwarded to me the e-mail which was sent from Bruce and Esther’s pastor to the members of their church, notifying them about the accident – yet another crystal clear demonstration of how modern technology can bring us together in amazing ways. It brought to mind the unexpected death of a classmate of mine from Luther five weeks ago. I learned of Kathy’s death from a facebook friend and it was through facebook that the news was shared with many more classmates and friends – helping us feel like we were somehow all gathered around the same hearth, bearing our sorrow together.
The world may be a bewildering place (and not just because of terrible accidents) and these may be frightening times in which we live. But we have so much for which to be grateful- and today I find myself tremendously grateful for the ease with which one can sit down at the computer, press a few keys, and in an instant be connected to a circle of friends and family with whom we can share our highest joys and our deepest sorrows. It is all but impossible for me to imagine life without it – especially when one realizes anew how quickly and utterly life can change and how much we need each other.
Tonight, look into the eyes of that someone you adore.
Tell them all of the ways you love them & then tell them 30 more.
Tell them all of the ways they make you smile
and how they make your life worthwhile.
But tell them tonight. Do not wait for another day.
For in an instant, everything can change.Tonight, telephone a friend and have a heart to heart.
Tell them just how often you think of them
thought you’re many miles apart.
Tell them thanks for all of the joys you’ve shared
and for all of their tender-loving care
But tell them tonight. Do not wait for another day.
For in an instant, everything can change.Tonight take a moment to ponder
in gratitude and wonder
the blooms of blessing God has planted
that we so often take for granted. . .
blooms we trample beneath our hurrying feet. . .
>blooms that were meant to make our lives complete
and O so sweet.Tonight, fall upon your knees and thank for Lord above
for the many amazing blessings God has given you in love.
For the abundant life that we can live
and the gifts that we in turn can give.
Pray this tonight- Do not wait for another day.
For in an instant, everything can change.Tonight, you may find yourself in deep despair
wondering when the sun will shine again –
wondering whether God is there.
Well I do not know just how or when
but I believe the sun will shine again.
Trust and believe that your tears will be wiped away.
>For in an instant, Everything Can Change. -GB