Did Sean Taylor Live a Mum's Life?

The mums in my yard always cause me to ponder what their purpose really is. They spend all summer just developing so they can be beautiful right at the same time frost is getting ready to crush the blooms. It makes me periodically debate why I even keep them. I could use the space they are taking up for a plant that displays beauty a lot earlier in the year. Yet as I continue to reflect on this, I realize that a lot of people have ended up being similar. They go through life in a rather stagnant state in terms of attitude and action. Some even get downright ugly in these areas. Yet a change hits them just before they depart. For some, inner beauty doesn't even occur until they are actually on their deathbed.
The tragic death this week of the Redskins' Sean Taylor reminded me of this reflection after hearing the words of remembrance from ones who had been around him. Those individuals, whether fellow players or coaches, had been seeing a positive change within Taylor during the last year or so, which was leading him away from the negative reputation he had developed during his initial years in the NFL. He had become a father, and they remarked on how proud he was of his child and how he commented on her often. It does seem Mr. Taylor may have lived a mum's life, at least in the public eye.
It is a wonderful scene to witness such changes in individuals, no matter what stage they are in life. As a teacher, I've delighted in seeing certain students mature in their actions and attitudes. Yet the tragedy of the ones who change near the end is the lack of time they have to display their new positive light. The beauty of these mums is short-lived.
However, again, we must celebrate positive change, no matter when it occurs in a person's lifetime. Sean Taylor left people with positive memories here at the end. Of course, the way he passed still lingers with question marks, but he was demonstrating a changed attitude to those around him. That is a lot better way to be remembered, just as we still remember the mums for their beauty.
It is never too late to change. That is something we must remember when we see those of questionable character trying to turn a new leaf. It is better to have lived a mum's life, than no life at all.