Hang on!

I was reminded last week just how precious life can be.  A close friend of mine passed away suddenly after living a full and engaging life and the husband of another friend, a mentor from my high school days, also left this earth.  I'm not sure why God gives me these wake up calls periodically, and while I'm saddened by the friends I've lost the reality of just how much every day matters has been brought to the forefront again. 

And yet as tragic as the end of these two lives are, it's the life almost lost that serves as the real reminder of the glory of life.  I got a text a week ago from a young man I mentor looking for contact information for two other adults I know from a leadership center I volunteer with.  Just the simple fact he would ask me for "their" information was indicative there was a problem brewing.  Both adults are what I would call "black and white" counselors.  Their views of right and wrong are very clearly defined with little or no grey area for compromise.  I passed on the information and the young man thanked me and asked if we could meet soon as he was having issues.  

We met two days later.  I won't go into specifics but bottom line is this, this young man not only bottomed out but found himself in the deepest hole life presents.  When life seemed the most hopeless one of his friends found him and literally held him to the ground for over 90 minutes.  It's hard to imagine a young 21 year old man holding another to the ground for 90 minutes.  Our cultural norms don't allow for this degree of bonding.  Yet it's clear to me a life was saved because one man chose to hang on to another.  

Over the past week the troubled youth and I have talked through the problems that brought him to this point.  And he has a plan to try and deal with his issues.  They are deeply rooted and will require him to focus on finding better answers every day.  But I know he and I are glad his friend held on and got him to this point.

We never know when we will be called to help someone through a dark night.  We can't always tell by looking at our friends and family they are on the edge of the deep dark hole.  But occasionally, whether we know it or not we are called to hang on to them and rescue them from that hole.  My friend Mark is a hero.  I'm sure it may not have hit him yet, and like most 21 year olds he probably thinks he did what anyone else might do.   But the truth is, what he did was special.  He hung on, and as a result, a life has been saved.  And my other troubled friend also needs to always remember their are many who need him to hang on as well.  

~ Hang On~

When you feel like giving up “Hang On”

Only a little bit longer, you know you can do it

Just hang on to the end of your rope

Then tie a knot in it and chill for awhile

After you have rested and thought about your life

Regain your strength and start climbing

Little by little reaching the top again

You have to keep going no matter what

And remember to always listen to your gut

After the storm has come and gone

The sun will always shine bright 

Giving you the courage to see the light

Copyright ©2009 Chessly Nesci