If you are new to this site, before reading the following I suggest you go back to the August 26^th post which will explain in detail what my intentions are with this Episode 2.

Basically, I am presenting a series of real-life scenarios to remind us of the brevity of our lives, and to be prepared for its inevitable, often seemingly premature, end. We can go all the way back to Genesis 3:19 for the origin of another “memento” phrase, one used by the Roman Church traditionally on Ash Wednesdays: “Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris.” (“Remember, man, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return.”)

This tragic event occurred in 2011 but remains an incident appropriate for this series.

NEWS ITEM: It’s a typical, hot early July evening in Arlington, Texas, home of the Texas Rangers ball club. Shannon Stone had driven 150 miles to the ballpark to enjoy the game that night with his young son, Cooper, sitting right next to him in the left field stands. It’s the ultimate father-son American experience — until he dies trying to catch a ball. It’s hard to comprehend.

The fateful accident happened in the second inning after Oakland’s Connor Jackson hit a foul ball that bounced back onto the field.

Rangers’ All-Star outfielder Josh Hamilton, ironically Cooper’s favorite player, snagged that ball and tossed it into the stands, aiming right for Stone and his boy.

Stone leaned over the railing to retrieve Hamilton’s throw, probably the first time he had an opportunity to catch an MLB ball for his son. He must have been aware of this surely magical moment, a memory he hoped his son would cherish forever. Then he apparently lost his balance, and tumbled over as Cooper and hundreds of fans watched in horror on the Jumbotron screen, falling head-first about 20 feet to the concrete below. Stone went into cardiac arrest while being transported to the hospital and died in transit.

Stone was just 39-years old, an 18-year veteran lieutenant with his hometown Brownwood, Texas fire department, and undoubtedly had experienced his share of dangerous situations, risking his life for the sake of others.

Still conscious on a stretcher leaving the park, Stone pleaded, “Please check on my son. My son is up there all by himself.” The EMTs who carried him out reassured him. “Sir, we’ll get your son. We’ll make sure he’s OK.”

 I’m not sure that he ever will be.

Post script: The Rangers went on to beat Oakland 6-0.