Soldiers, Cowboys and Old Rock 'n Roll Musicians

Did you ever see the movie Saving Private Ryan? I went to it with my friend Kiernan Mack. I think the juxtaposition of having a decadent, large malt at Oberweiser's Dairy and seeing something as horrendous as the realities of D-Day - all within three hours - made it a little "too much" for me. At least that is the excuse I continue to stick to when I think about crying in the theater... next to another man.

Come on guys. You know the scene I am talking about. Captain Miller, who has led the effort to save James Ryan, lays dying after the final battle, shot through a lung. Private Ryan kneels next to the captain, watching him struggle through his last breaths. Through his pain, Miller manages to grunt out, "James. Earn this... earn it."

Of course, that is NOT the scene I am talking about.

Right after Captain Miller dies, the film cuts to a now much older version of James Ryan visiting the French cemetery where the mortal remains of Miller rest. The movie shows a grey-haired Ryan kneeling in front of the cross of the grave, engaging in a conversation with his deceased companion. He tells Captain Miller that his family is with him. He let's the captain know he has thought about Miller's final words every day of his life. Ryan explains that he has tried to live a good life and hopes the captain is in agreement with how it turned out.

Finally, "old man" Ryan stands up... he is still unsure if anything could be worthy of the sacrifice of his "Band of Brothers." The question remains. So, he turns to his wife and basically pleads, "Tell me I've led a good life." Of course, she is shocked and responds with a confused, "What?" Ryan tries it again, "Tell me I'm a good man." She is obviously distressed, but his desperation makes her think better of shushing him. So, instead, she looks him in the eyes and says, "You are."

I haven't seen that movie since it came out. I can't remember all the realistic war scenes that were the hot topic of conversation when it was in the theaters. However, this scene - the scene - still haunts me. 

This week a friend from my college years, Jerry Cassel, sent me some photos of a band in which both us once played. Did they bring back some memories, or what? I spent most of the rest of the day whistling or humming some of our old songs. The picture below offers ample evidence of just how l-o-o-o-n-g ago this was.

After processing some of the fun memories and wondering about some "what-could-have-beens," I started looking at the guy in the top/center of the photo above. 

I have to admit that I have spent more than a few minutes thinking about some of the potential that young man had (in addition to great hair!) and if he had really lived up to it. I have honestly wondered about the investment made with a life and whether the investment has paid off ten times, two times or, not at all. (Matthew 25:14-30)

I am glad that Mr. Ryan's wife responded in the present tense with, "You are." It gives me some hope there is still a possibility of investing well, of making all this count for something. I can never "earn" the life I have been given, as Captain Miller suggested. However, as someone who spent a few too many years in Texas,  I do hope, pray and long for the privilege of looking into the eyes of the one who did earn the right to give me life and hear Him say, "Good ride, cowboy. Good ride."