February Series - 8 Things I Love About BJ, Blog 2: His Energy

8 Things I Love About BJ: His Energy

February 21, 1983; nearly 35 years ago to this day, on the eve of BJ’s open-heart surgery I recall the nurses commiserating their awe that the little boy full of energy and running up and down the hallways of St.  Vincent Hospital was scheduled for surgery the following morning…but, he was. Also, at that time, the most heartache I had ever experienced as a mom. How could my little boy possibly have a heart defect? “Please, Lord, don’t take my little boy from me. His life has just begun.” Thankfully, we had another 33+ years with him and still not enough time.

From the earliest of days, from toddler to adult, that boy of mine was filled with energy…energy for life.  Raw, human energy from a young age; not powered by electronics but powered by adventure. He was always on the move, always pushing his limits, and never backing down. At an early age, his dad put him on a dirt bike and in usual BJ style it was full speed ahead. His wild and no fear riding earned him the nickname of “crash” and if truth be told I’m fairly certain he was quite proud of that nickname. Dirt bikes turned into 4x4’s (namely his Willies) and 4x4’s turned into street racing.  

Even with his laid back nature, BJ was on the move; working on his property, doing side jobs, and helping friends. He always had something going on and something to do. He was always down for a road trip or an impromptu BBQ.  “Side roads are where you find adventures,” he told me on our cross country road trip just three months before he died. If it weren’t for taking a country road we wouldn’t have happened upon an old historic covered bridge somewhere in Tennessee.

It’s really hard to imagine my son that was always so filled with energy, laid lifeless trapped under his vehicle the last few moments of his life; knowing that was the end of his road and knowing his energy had run out. That thought has brought about many tears, but at the same time I am extremely thankful to know the suffering was short, he will never experience pain again, and he will have an unlimited amount of energy for eternity. For that, I will praise Jesus all of my days.