It was Friday, August 28, 2020. I was so tired from the occurrences of the day, I had to get to bed early. And so I did. Unfortunately, this moment of peace was short lived. My phone rang… Reluctantly, I answered.
“Anna…?”
It was a friend of mine. He sounded pretty somber, which got me a little concerned. He isn’t usually like this.
“Yes?” I replied.
He kept repeating my name in a tone that was almost unrecognizable. I knew something was wrong. I couldn’t hear him clearly because the reception was not so strong. So I told him to text.
While writing that message, I saw numerous messages popping up on my phone. I figured it was something dramatic… and it was. The news? Chadwick Boseman, age 43, had died of cancer. It was through a friend’s frantic text that I found out.
I sat on my bed for a couple minutes in an attempt to mull over the text messages and news reports. I had no real reason to feel disheartened. I mean, I did not know the man personally. I admired him though. As a Marvel Cinematic Universe fanatic, I absolutely loved the role he played as Black Panther. He did so with so much passion and conviction, causing many to be positively impacted. Aside from all of that, I used to watch YouTube videos of him displaying his talents. He was an amazing singer and dancer. I also appreciated how he spoke with wisdom. He used his platform to highlight issues of the day, especially racial injustice and inequality in the USA. He cared about people and this was seen in his work at St. Jude’s Hospital for Children, where cancer patients are treated. On and off screen, he was loveable.
The world as we know it thought of Chadwick as a king. Peers and strangers were shocked by his passing. This young man was in his prime, giving his best with all that he had been given. In his short career, he contributed more to the lives of persons than some individuals ever will. Many also used the opportunity to share tributes. On August 31, 2020, Michael B. Jordan shared reflections on his Instagram (@michaelbjordan) page. It resonated with me. He kept saying “I wish we had more time”. (Me too, Michael. Me too.)
Death has this unexplainable way to rip us apart from the ones we love and cause us much heartache. We are often filled with regret, wishing we had more time to laugh, to share, to cry. I thought about this deeply. We will never have enough time. Even if we are blessed with ten thousand years on this planet, it will never be enough because there is so much more to share with each other. This is a hard pill to swallow. Time is so fleeting and elusive. Sometimes we fail to glory in the present. We will never know when our breaths will leave from our lungs, causing people to say “I wish we had more time”.
I believe this is why it is important for us to give our best now. Chadwick’s example of diligence, discipline and dedication irrespective of the odds stacked against him, has cemented that in me all the more. He is not remembered only for fame and fortune. He is remembered for the kind of legacy he left behind and how he made people feel. He is remembered for his sound character – his offscreen character.
Our best may not look like what Chadwick had to offer, but we can do much with what we have now. That is all that matters. We should love people and invest in them. Note, I didn’t say love your people. We all need light and love in life. We should make memories. Be quick to listen, slow to speak. Learn from our elders. Share with our peers. Mentor those juniors. Give our time, talents and treasures, while maintaining boundaries. Fight the good fight even when opposition comes. Live each day with purpose and intentionality. Work hard. Serve well. Life is worth living that way.
For those who have lost a loved one recently, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. May the God of comfort give you grace during this time.
Photo by Tamar Henry (IG: @halal_photography)