By Rick Ryckeley
Fayette County Fire & Emergency Services

The visit to the doctor did not go as I had planned; he told me some disturbing news.

He said, "Rick, you have only three years left, that's all the time you have. You should feel lucky - there're those with your condition who have much less time. You should not worry so much and enjoy what time you still have."

I left the doctors office that day with a heavy heart because there's too much still left to do - too much to say. There are so many things that will be left undone when it's time to go. So many things I want to accomplish. I'm just not ready for it to happen. I need more time.

As you look at your life, did you know that you would turn out the way that you have? Chances are you will say no. Ask your parents if they thought you would turn out the way you are. Chances are they will also say no.

People don't know what events or persons will shape and change their lives as they grow up. For everyone, it's different. For some, it is their parents; others, it might be their best friend; for still others, it could be just a chance meeting of a stranger.

As I look back over my life, I remember the people who changed it forever: my parents, my Brother Richard, and a couple of teachers.

My parents taught me that the differences between right and wrong are as clear as black and white. (They forgot to tell me about the lawyers and gray areas.) Mom said, "Always do the right thing and good things will happen to you; good always wins out over bad." She was a very trusting, sweet person who always looked for the best in a person and good in a bad situation. I guess that part of my personality I can contribute to her.

Dad taught me the value of a dollar and hard work. Although a dollar nowadays doesn't go as far as it used to, someone working hard surely does. He said, "If you're willing to work hard you'll always have a job." Dad, I guess I work hard because I have always had at least two jobs.

Brother Richard died when I was only five, but he shaped the rest of my life with one thing that he did. Late one evening, he was downstairs lifting weights as I came in to play army man with him. He showed me how to do benches, arm curls, and chin ups. He said, "You need to lift weights so you can grow up big and strong like me. If you take care of your body, it will take care of you." Six months later Brother Richard was gone, but to this day I remember what he said to me and I still lift weights. Brother Richard, I grew up big and strong like you.

Mr. Hood was my history teacher back in high school. I thought he was the best teacher in the entire school because he was also my wrestling coach. He said to me one day, "The knowledge of the world can be found in books. As you look at history, you will see that one person can make a difference in this world. You can be anything you want to be; go out and change the world. You be that one person who makes a difference; be that one person who makes history."

He also said, "You only get out of life what you put into it. If you work hard and practice, there's no telling how far you can go." I practiced hard each day and ended up a state champion as a high school wrestler. Now I'm a volunteer coach for the middle school wrestling team. We won the county championship this year. Coach said that I made a big difference with the kids. Mr. Hood, I'm still working on changing the world.

A teacher's influence on students lasts forever, like the seemingly endless waves from a pebble dropped in a lake. A good surgeon can change the life of only one patient at a time. A good teacher can change the lives of twenty-five students at a time.

Sometimes the wave from a teacher's influence does not stop at the students or the school doors. I had a blind date about four years ago - a school teacher. She said she taught high school history. A year later we were married. She changed my world. Mr. Hood, you were right - one person can change the world.

Last week was my annual physical - all the tests came back and I'm in perfect health. The doctor said that I need to get my cholesterol down just a bit, and I told him I'll cut back on the fried turkey. As he was leaving the room, he asked me how my son was doing. I said, "Just fine. He has a birthday next week and he will be fifteen."

"You know you only have three years left with him," he said, "then he will be gone off to college and you will see him only a couple of times a year."

My son has his birthday today. There's still too much to do for him - too much to say to him. Many things will still be left undone and unsaid when it's time for him to go. So many things I still want to accomplish. So many things I still need to show him about the world, so he will be ready.

My son, R.C., has a birthday this day - he is fifteen. He's growing up and almost a man. I'm proud of him, but I'm just not ready for it to happen.

"Seek wisdom of the ages in books, but look at the world through the eyes of a child" is what the history teacher said to me so long ago. In my son's eyes, I wonder if he will see me as one of the people who changed his world.

Is your condition the same as mine? How much time do you have left?

[Rick Ryckeley is employed full-time with Fayette County Fire and Emergency Services. He can be reached at saferick@bellsouth.net.]

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