For many of us, when we pick up our newspaper we do one of several things---we turn to the sports page to see how our local team performed the day before, read the front page to see what’s going on around the world, or to the obituaries to see who has left us. (Yes the obits are one of a paper’s most heavily read sections.)
Today in our local paper you can turn to all 3 of these sections and read the same story; yesterday one of the top players on our local high school team lost his life, passing away from an automobile accident he was in last Friday night. Of what I read in the paper, this was not just your average jock that was in the spotlight during the years that make up high school, this kid had a lot going for him well beyond these 4 years. Because he was well known in school, having transferred from a school that had recently closed down in a community near us, his reputation was paramount in comparison with the “average” person who walked the halls.
What’s most impressive about this young man, is even though he probably knew he was one of the most popular kids in school, he was known as a “very good guy who could bring a smile to your face.” Based upon the 3,000 people who have signed up for his Facebook memorial in the past day, he was really liked by everyone he came in contact with. In other words, he knew his role as a leader and kept it all in perspective---he was only17.
Pierre Washington-Steel’s name was heard often at football games, probably more than any other player on the squad; through the speaker you would hear, after a play had ended, the yardage he racked up on the previous play. He was the star running back on the team and last season he had 717 yards---remember this is high school football, not the NFL. Not only was he a gifted football player, but he also excelled in baseball and track and field. What was his secret? He was strong, fast, and smart in the sports he played. Unfortunately when you are behind the wheel of a car, your body can only take so much impact no matter how strong and smart you are.
I was not sure why he had a hyphenated name until I read the paper this morning and learned his father was killed by gunfire last year on Chicago’s south side. After his death he took to hyphenating his name in honor of the family name. I cannot imagine what this family is going through at this time--- however I know what the community is going through, a sense of tremendous loss.
Whether you have a child, niece/nephew, and/or loved one, it’s times like this when letting them know how you feel is the most important thing you can do; call it your last shot---you never know what’s in store, and you will still be happy you told them you loved them. Even if you still have thousands of days left to spend together.
The photo above is of our local newspaper, the Daily Herald. If you look on the right-hand side you will see the article that our community, and other communities in the area awoke to this morning. Or in the case of people who were touched by Pierre Washington-Steel in life---awoke to and are now in “mourning.”
Thanks for stopping by.
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