January 29, 2023 | Issue #53

1 Quote. 1 Reflection. 1 Question.

"Tragic fate has thrust upon us grave responsibilities. We must carry on. Our departed leader never looked backward. He looked forward and moved forward. That is what he would want us to do. That is what America will do."

-From:  Harry S. Truman

-Source: National Archives

1 Reflection.

In his first address to Congress, President Harry Truman rallies the American people only one day after the death of the previous president, Franklin D. Roosevelt.

At a time when the American people were struggling, Truman told them they must bear the tragedy responsibly. We must do the same when we face our own.

No one escapes death; therefore, we must prepare for it. Maybe it will be our grandfather who dies of old age, an aunt that dies of cancer, or a sibling that dies in a car accident. 

I hope and pray none of these things happen but life doesn't seem to care sometimes. It can be ruthless and pierce our hearts with its sharpest spear. 

So how do we act responsibly?

We can act responsibly by providing a shoulder to cry on. We can act responsibly by handling the logistics of the funeral arrangement. We can act responsibly by rallying the family together and encouraging them to think of the positive impact our loved one had. 

As a result of these actions, we keep a fragile family from breaking, we keep a tragedy from becoming a living hell, and we keep the sadness from turning into depression. 

1 Question.

Have you thought about your own death?