There are some moments when the petty, day to day annoyances melt away in the face of the fireball sun realization that life is fleeting, experiences are transient and people are on loan to us. Last night, when I watched the You Tube viral phenom video called My Last Days (On Rainn Wilson’s Soulpancake channel) about the courageous journey of a young man named Zach Sobiech and his family and friends, I knew such an instant. Silly me, though, I viewed it right before bed, with tears streaming down my face. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2009, Zach not only survived, but thrived for the interceding 4 years and passed on May 20, 2013. What moved me the most about the video was that it offered an unabashed perspective that love lives on even after the body dies. The soul (whatever that is) of the person is inextricably connected with a tether of light to all those it ever touched. At least, that is my take on it. I imagine Zach and his circle of support experienced ‘the inevitable dark night of the soul’, but seemed to be able to turn them into something enduringly positive, something that will make a difference in countless lives.
In the midst of the pain; both emotional and physical, Zach continued what would be considered ‘normal’ activities for a teenager, including school, a sweet relationship with a devoted young woman named Amy, deep bonds with his parents and siblings and music as an outlet for his emotions. He wrote these poignant words that have spread worldwide:
Clouds
Well I fell down, down, down Into this dark and lonely hole There was no one there to care about me anymore And I needed a way to climb and grab a hold of the edge You were sitting there holding a rope
And we’ll go up, up, up But I’ll fly a little higher We’ll go up in the clouds because the view is a little nicer Up here my dear It won’t be long now, it won’t be long now
When I get back on land Well I’ll never get my chance Be ready to live and it’ll be ripped right out of my hands Maybe someday we’ll take a little ride We’ll go up, up, up and everything will be just fine
And we’ll go up, up, up But I’ll fly a little higher We’ll go up in the clouds because the view is a little nicer Up here my dear
It won’t be long now, it won’t be long now If only I had a little bit more time If only I had a little bit more time with you
We could go up, up, up And take that little ride And sit there holding hands And everything would be just right And maybe someday I’ll see you again We’ll float up in the clouds and we’ll never see the end
And we’ll go up, up, up But I’ll fly a little higher We’ll go up in the clouds because the view is a little nicer Up here my dear It won’t be long now, it won’t be long now
Help fund cancer research for kids like Zach
I can barely comprehend what must be happening in the hearts and minds of those who knew him best; a roller coaster ride of emotion. From my heart to theirs, I wish them the kind of love that cradles them in comfort and uplifts them to the celestial.
http://youtu.be/9NjKgV65fpo My Last Days
http://youtu.be/sDC97j6lfyc Clouds by Zach Sobiech
http://youtu.be/7zxXAtmmLLc Clouds-Celebrity Tribute
Zach Sobiech with friend Sammy Brown
J. Dunn Photography
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