Gathering in Sorrow

Most people would argue that in a perfect world there would be no suffering, no heartbreak, no pain.  This would be followed by wishes to end all wars once and for all or to find a definite cure for cancer.  That sounds like a world I want to live in.  But after watching ESPN films: 30 for 30 - The Guru of Go, my mindset began to shift.

The Guru of Go follows the coaching career of Paul Westhead but also encompasses the unique story of Hank Gathers and his team.  Hank Gathers died during a game of college basketball.  This is without a question a tragedy for his friends, team, and family.  Despite all the sorrow, the story following his death is a powerful one.

Hank's death brought his team closer together.  Hank's teammate shot and made a left handed free throw in his honor.  Each one of his teammate's will remember that game and remember that player who was so passionate about what he did, he paid the ultimate sacrifice.  He inspired those who knew him and continues to inspire young generations of athletes.

Tragedy seems to bring people together.  Is sorrow and pain and suffering therefore necessary to a society?  It's hard to find a happier moment than when a soldier is returned home safely to his or her family.  Without that fear of never seeing each other again, would the family had still been as thankful for one another?  Or when a funeral brings a family together or an injured teammate rallies a team or a youth groups works together to rebuild homes after a hurricane- is misfortune the instrumental variable in all of these?

In a perfect world, families get along, friends lend helping hands, and neighbors care for one another.  Is the united fight against evil and all the pain it brings what makes a society "perfect"?