It was awesome! Any one watching could feel the heart-rending emotions gripping the whole city as six thousand members of police organizations from across Canada, the United States and other countries marched in unison, in the funeral procession for three members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It was a horrific event that paralyzed an area of Moncton, New Brunswick for more than thirty hours until the suspect murderer was arrested in a wooded part of the city.
The sigh of relief, for the apprehension of the suspect, did not abate the grief of the people of Moncton as well as of other Canadians. The attention turned to the fallen and two other members who were wounded in the tragic event.
Preparation for the funeral started. It was a regimental funeral attended personally by seven thousand people and hundreds of thousands more through television. Those who were not accommodated in the seven thousand –seat sports complex were given space in the eleven more locations in the city—churches, theaters and casinos wherein screens were provided for them to witness the ceremony,
The funeral ceremony lasted for three hours attended by the prime minister, the governor-general, federal provincial and municipal officials, together with the common people of the city. The first rows of seats were filled by the guests and the families of the three fallen RCMPs.
It was a very emotional three hours wherein each fallen officer was eulogized by family, members of his respective faith and friends. Three previously unknown common citizens, who lived lives similar to most individuals, went on with their day to day activities, loving and attending to their families, and dedicated to their chosen career; to Serve and Protect. On that fateful afternoon, one of them was off-duty attending to a barbecue at home when the call for help came. This officer left his barbecue on, and his garage door open, to rush to the call of duty. He never returned.
One of the eulogists focused on the “Now” of life. He said that each life is a three-act play—birth, living and death.
Each of us was born in circumstances beyond our control. Some are luckier than most, born with the proverbial silver spoon in their mouths. Some were born to power. Others were born to poverty wherein parents could hardly make both ends meet. Still others were born in very unfortunate circumstances with no parents or single parent to care for them. The environment one is born to has much to do in one’s upbringing. That was the first act of the play.
The second act is how one lives the life he got. Some live an existence of luxury and dependence on the bounty of they were born in, no worries, no responsibilities, no obligations, no goals in life. But there are those who utilize their opportunities for service to the less fortunate, or to improve life in this planet by researches in science and medicine, technology and other aspects of living. Theirs are meaningful lives.
Those born in less fortunate circumstances have greater challenges to face. Some of them never emerge from their misfortunes. They get carried away by the tide, to the open seas of more unhappy circumstances. But some work hard and persevere to overcome the circumstances of their birth. We know several people in our society who have undergone countless hardships before they attained success.
The third act- death –is another phase that we have no control over. We do not know when, where and how death would overcome us. Some have very short lives due to illness or accidents. Others engage in very dangerous circumstances and risk their lives. The three fallen officers lost their lives in their prime in pursuit of their duty to serve and protect the citizens of their city. Some get tired of their lives and end it all. Lately we have heard of those extreme suffering in their illnesses and are requesting for assistance to die with dignity.
We do not have much say in the first and third acts in our lives. But we can influence the way the second act goes-the “Now” in our lives. I vaguely recall a saying that states: Live each day as if it were the last in your life.
Indeed we do not know. We might choke on a piece of meat and end our lives. Or keep on living to a hundred in a wheelchair cursing every day. Or do we sit regretting the mistakes of the past that we are helpless to correct? Or shall we call it optimism to buy Loto tickets every week in the hope of a round-the-world trip one of these days?
I think there is a more positive way of spending the “Now” of our lives. Yes, if we are young and healthy, let us work hard towards a goal of improving our future, at the same time being caring and thoughtful of our family, friends and people around us.
As one grows older, competitiveness lessens and one becomes more sensitive and tolerant of other people. Of course we come across some who become very eccentric and short-tempered.
At night, before we go to sleep, let us reflect on the “Now” of our lives. Have we hurt some one today with a harsh remark? Have we done a generous act no matter how small? If we do not open our eyes, tomorrow can we face our Maker and say, “I have done my part today?”