Doug Rotman

A time to remember

March 28, 2012 By Doug Rotman 1 Comment

Whenever I see a flatbed semi with a roll of steel on the back, I think of Jonathan. You see, Jonathan at one point worked for a steel company, and even though his work was in the computer field, he mentioned a tidbit that has always stuck with me. It was always preferable to load a roll of steel so that it sat perpendicular to the truck. This way, if for some reason the roll broke free, it would simply roll off the side of the truck. Turned the other way, the load could roll directly into the cabin of the truck, with dire consequences sure to follow. (click on the thumbnail to see an example!) Talk about some big consequences for what may seemingly be such a small decision!

There are plenty of other memories of Jonathan…in high school his amazing fingertip tackle that saved a touchdown our senior year in football…to driving around Florida on a spring break in college, where three young guys managed to completely stay out of trouble until the end of the trip when the alternator of my Dad’s car gave way. But a semi with a load of steel always reminds me of Jonathan.

Jonathan was a very good friend. After college he would frequently text me just to remind me of Gabe’s birthday or Scott’s birthday. A few years ago Scott, Jonathan, and I found ourselves back at Cedarville at the same time and we gathered at the local pizza joint and had a great time catching up. He was a good worker. He loved and gave to so many others. He gave to those in need. He organized charity events and building projects. He was a cherished son and revered older brother. He was an excellent father. He was a loving husband, the kind of example others wanted their daughters to see so they knew how a good man would treat his wife. He loved God.

There is some irony in the fact that a man with such a big heart was actually betrayed by his own, physically enlarged heart. I have often said he was taken much too soon, but I’ve also been convicted that “too soon” is in no way my place to say. St.Patrick’s day of 2010 was the day I got the call from Scott that simultaneously seemed to punch all the air out of my lungs while sending a searing pain straight through my heart. Jonathan had gone to work like any other day, but instead of going home to his wife and kids, that morning he ended up going home to Heaven. He’d collapsed at his desk, and his heart gave out so quickly that he probably didn’t even know what happened.

Today, March 28, I remember Jonathan on what would have been his birthday.

It’s been two years since the March I will never forget. I’ve tried to write about this a dozen times or more without success, but I take heart in knowing he is in Heaven, and instead of being brought down by the reminder of today being his birthday, I’ll choose to be encouraged. I’ll continue to remember Jonathan when I see a semi bearing the weight of a load of steel, but I’ll also remember that life is short, that we are not promised tomorrow, and that we should cherish every blessing we may have today! And I’ll try to live up to the example he set. I hope you will, too!