“ Be Happy”

A friend of mine from high school and college recently passed away. When I saw him a couple of years back, after a 50 year gap, I brought him up to date on my life and the many ways God has blessed me. He later wrote to me, “Dave, Thanks for the email. It was fun wasn’t it, talking about 50 years ago like it was yesterday. God has blessed you. Be happy. Maybe we’ll get together again sometime soon. That would be nice. Pat”  

Pat was born in 1946, like me, and in good  health, but passed suddenly while playing golf; he loved to play golf. He was married 51 years and was a good Catholic. Pat was a grateful man and was happy…. I think those two things go together…if you’re grateful for what God has done for you, then you will be happy. 

Scripture reminds us to thank God continually. We’re called to be grateful and not complain. God’s will is always good for us and when we follow his will, we will be happy…. even when life is hard. In the book of Tobit, “Raphael called the two men aside privately and said to them: Thank God! Give him the praise and glory. Before all the living, acknowledge the many good things he has done for you, by blessing and extolling his name in song. Honor and proclaim God’s deeds, and do not be slack in praising him. A king’s secret it is prudent to keep, but the works of God are to be declared and made known. (Tobit 12:6-7) 

God had his hand on Pat for his 77 years. Back in the late 60’s, I was in the car following Pat and another friend as his “Morris Minor” careened off the road into a gulley…both of them were seriously injured and could/should have easily died. At the time, we said, “well, they won’t be going to Vietnam”…… but they both recovered and both went to Vietnam. Pat served and came back in one piece. He dodged several bullets in his life, but when it was his time, he passed away while playing golf…which he loved. 

So Pat, God has blessed you. Be happy. Maybe we’ll get together again sometime soon. That would be nice. Dave” .