Lindley S. DeGarmo is no longer with us. He died at the tender age of 31. To this day, a statement he made to me at a very trying time is indelibly etched on my mind and I refer to it frequently at times of stress. He said very simply: “Everything happens for the best.”.
It was not so much the words, but the context in which they were spoken that had such an impact. In retrospect, the wisdom of someone so young is equally impressive.
I had just returned home from Annapolis, Maryland, where I had seen an appointment to the United States Naval Academy go down the drain due to a very slight myopic condition. I had passed all the other tests, written, physical, strength, and endurance. But my eye test revealed that I had 20/25 vision in one eye. That minor condition was enough to disqualify me for entrance to the academy. I was angry that such an insignificant physical defect should change the entire direction of my life and of course, as a 17 year old boy is wont to do, I was feeling very sorry for myself. The first place I went upon my return was to the home of Mr. DeGarmo. I guess I expected to be given sympathy for my plight. I did not get any. For that I will be eternally grateful. My mentor, my advisor, my friend, had just returned home himself … from the hospital where he had undergone still another major operation for the cancer which would shortly claim his life.
He was not only gracious enough to see me, considering his condition, but he was wise enough to see that I didn’t need him to console me for my moment of pain. What I needed, and what he gave, was the direction of the future. He made sure that my experience did not make me bitter or defensive.
He gave me hope. He gave me the empathy of a friend.
Lee Schaeffer
Founder of America 357
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