WHO WAS HE? [2 minute read]
The great Hank Aaron died last week. There was a time when I would not have to say more than his name. Those two words together would bring a cluster of thoughts to any American’s mind. Baseball. Hammerin’ Hank. Atlanta Braves. Homerun king. All-star. Hall of Fame. Hero. For me, as a young boy, watching a great man play ball on grainy black-and-white television picture, Hank Aaron’s name inspired me. I would go out in my back yard and throw a rubber ball against a stone wall imagining myself catching fly balls in right field like Aaron. Then I would pick up a bat, toss the ball in the air, trying to hit it as far as I could, like Hank. All I had to do was read a sports page or hear that name and I knew immediately WHO HE WAS.
I happened to be in a barber shop when I heard the news. I watched and listened as commentators regaled Aaron and his accomplishments. “It’s a good thing we have ESPN,” I said to myself, “Otherwise folks today might not know who Hank Aaron was, why he was so important to so many.” Yes, other names matter to young sports minds now. We know a great deal about individual athletes in the 21st century. Information about them is available on every screen. But I wonder about those great names of yesteryear, whose personas and accomplishments may be lost without our knowing, without our caring.
“WHO WAS HE?” Is a question that stands outside identity, ethnicity, gender, heritage, or status. Wondering after 
the history of a person is a reminder to us all, a reminder that people make a difference. “WHO WAS HE?” marks a time, a past, a person who mattered to others before our time. And now that we know something of that person, place, and time, how will it impact us? Will we hear the news of someone’s passing and say, “That’s too bad,” not giving the moment another thought? “WHO WAS HE?” should play a part in our changing, in our maturation, in our respect.
As I awoke this morning thinking these thoughts about Hank Aaron, my mind recalled famous poetry entitled “Ozymandias.” Two 19th century poets, Percy Shelley and Horace Smith, in friendly competition, submitted renditions of the same idea: all die, persons and accomplishments lost to future generations. For those interested, it will take all of thirty seconds to read each of the poems; it will take a lifetime to grasp their importance. The title of the poem is the Greek name of an Egyptian king, Ramses II. The poet looks upon the ruins of colossal statues, covered by the sands of time. The poems should bring to mind our impermanence on earth and eternal questions about life.
“WHO WAS HE?” is a question some may ask about us years from now. No, our exploits will not be recorded in some
Hall of Fame. Neither will there be an ESPN to remind others of our legacy. Nothing may remain of us save items for sale on a Goodwill shelf. “WHO WAS HE?” brings to mind a series of questions:
- Does what we remember, matter?
- Do we care enough about history to study it, care for it, apply it?
- Can we be certain of anything in this life, after death?
- Do we consider the impermanence of our own lives?
- If impermanence exists, is there anything permanent to depend upon?
Musings from 27 January 2021. The questions at the end of my thoughts are meant to prompt folks to think for themselves. My philosophy of life, of teaching, is not to force someone to believe what I do. I believe questions left to themselves are some of the greatest forms of evangelistic-apologetics. No one likes to be “preached at.” But open-ended discussion takes on new meaning when one considers a question.