After a life half-lived, Ryan Orlando Husted was taken from this reality and welcomed into another. At 29 years of age he had just graduated from college and celebrated his accomplishment with family and friends alike. Sometime in the night, after his joyous celebration, Ryan stopped breathing. A young life, with a future as bright as a starry Texas night, was cut in half. He was raped of his resolve to finish college, pick himself up, and make something of the many years he should have had.
For Ryan the term of a ‘life half-lived’ refers to the number of years he spent on this earth. Others may score this phrase against the amount of money one may amass over a lifetime or maybe the number of people who know your name. Perhaps you think of the difference an individual has made to better the environment or to feed the hungry. How would you describe someone who has lived a full life?
There are so many differing opinions around us. And as I sat in Ryan’s memorial service this morning I realized something – Ryan had lived a full life!
One very interesting part of a funeral is typically just before the end – the open mic. This is a time when friends and loved ones are able to come and share their fond memories of the deceased. Some are humorous while others are sad – all however, bring remembrance. You are able to tell so much about an individual by what is said during this time of sharing. In this ‘open mic’ time this morning I learned a lot about Ryan – a man I never had the opportunity to meet. In an almost full service I learned that he had many who loved him. Some were family, some were friends, some were coworkers, and some fellow students. All of whom loved him. As stories were told it became very apparent that although Ryan was not a person of great political, national or economic stature – he touched the life of everyone he came in contact with.
We heard from students and faculty of the college he attended. We heard from coworkers, supervisors and managers from his place of employment. We heard from family, immediate and extended. What we heard was a chorus of lives that have been impacted and will miss him forever.
I would say that although the number of his years were cut short – Ryan Orlando Husted lived a full life. Live your life outside of yourself. Always remember that you are not your own – you have been bought with a price. Live vicariously as the one who has paid your eternal debt. Exude love and let integrity be your legacy.
exploring the wonder,
JFlo