As we wake up today, we’re reminded that it is New Year’s Eve: The last day of 2011. It’s time to get the food ready, the beer chilled, the fireworks loaded. It’s time to party it up, get down and have a blast with those closest to us.
The end of the year is always the same; we’re left thinking “Where did the year go?” Life moves pretty quickly. Before you know it, it’ll be New Year 2012, and we’ll be doing the same thing over again. Or at least we hope so.
On December 18th, 2011, Ben Breedlove posted two videos on his “secret” YouTube channel – he didn’t mention them to his family or traditional fan-following. Ben was a popular teenage YouTuber who, on his regular channel, would share advice on everything from dating and presents to buy for your girlfriend, to little facts about himself.
In these most recent two videos, however, Ben doesn’t utter one word. He holds up a series of index cards telling about a health condition that he has and three times in which he “cheated death”, once as recent as a few weeks back.
Here’s Part I of Ben’s Story:
And Part II:
On December 25th, just one week after he posted the above videos, Ben had a wonderful Christmas morning with his family. He got a new camera that he would surely be using to make new You Tube videos for his faithful followers.
Ben didn’t cheat death on December 25th. He surrendered to it and was given the gift that he so longed for several times. He passed away on Christmas Night with his family. Ben died of a heart attack as a result of his heart condition.
While there is much to be learned from Ben, one of the big things we took from this is simple, and one we hope you take into your 2012: Cherish Every Moment. Take no moment for granted. Live life. It’s not the length of life, it’s the depth of it. Ben touched millions of viewers with his videos, even after his death.
The Team at Sumo Steaks thanks you, Ben. Thank you for inspiring us to make our official theme for 2012 to “Cherish Every Moment”.
Happy New Year from the Sumo Steaks Team!
