This week it was Malcolm-Jamal Warner (54), Ozzy Osbourne, (76) then Hulk Hogan (71). I remember being 4 years old in my dad’s VW Bug with Black Sabbath 8-tracks all over the floor board, minus the one skipping around in the 8-track player. In the 80’s my week was complete watching WWF wrestling and Hulkamania running wild on everyone! In my teens, I wanted to be a Cosby kid, nice home, great parents and resolution through life lessons verse the zipping of a belt from the pant loops or crackling of a switch from a tree in rural Alabama.
Now, in an instance, they are gone.
Ozzy and Hulk were the same age as my father, who left us 2 years ago (April 2023). Everytime I hear about a GenX hero passing, it seems to chisel away at the facade that life is forever. It’s not that they were “greater than” but really just a reminder that the ones we see, are gone to soon.
I am turning 53 in September of this year, and have less days left than I have lived, that’s just facts. It makes me think about life and if I could tell my kids the most important aspects of life what would it be? I landed on a few things, with the first three in the order of importance.
- Love Jesus, with all you heart. It’s not a popular opinion these days, but that is really the cornerstone of all that we do.
- Marry and have children with the person you love with your whole heart, not because “it’s time” and not because “I think”, you should know 100% with no room for maybe.
- Love you children and show them everyday how important they are to you. One day they will stray, it’s inevitable, but they should know that no matter there errors, they are loved.
- Remember your mortality and live every day.
- Take the trip, go to the concert, buy the car….not at the expense of numbers 1, 2 and 3, but live.
- Forgive, always and often. That means yourself included.
- Do work that you love. Your first job may not be it, hey, you gotta have an income, but find your passion in work and hobbies….not at the expense of numbers 1, 2 and 3.
- See your family, visit the cousins, hang out with your siblings. These are some of the oldest and most important relationships in your life.
- Be the person that keeps in touch.
- Just keep on L-I-V-I-N, one of my favorite movies lines of all times, just keep on LIVIN!
That’s it. Live, Love and know the One that loved you!
Alex Putman 