Revvin’ up your engine
Listen to her howlin’ roar
Metal under tension
Beggin’ you to touch and go

Highway to the Danger Zone
Ride into the Danger Zone*

“Maverick, call the ball…”.

Who remembers the mid 80’s era flick Top Gun? Who doesn’t remember Top Gun, at least those of us old enough to look that far into history? We had Maverick, the authority-resistant, trouble-making Navy pilot who took too many risks, rubbed too many leaders the wrong way, and ultimately saved the day. We had the tightly wound figureheads who gave Maverick way too much grace and leeway, and way too much responsibility. Just enough, however, to allow him to ultimately save the day.

I’ve never been much to push against the establishment, especially when I was just a wee lad, a teenager, back in the days of Top Gun popularity.

But, I have a confession to make. Featured hat number four of twenty-seven, save one, is not mine. Although currently in my possession, it belongs to my father. Hats one and two were inherited from my grandfathers. But hat four, I should not claim as my own. I’m not the Top Gun in our patriarchal clan. Not yet.

Proverbs 27:17 tells me “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” I count my father as a friend.

Growing up, we never clashed, not really. All teenagers and their parents likely have moments of disagreement about how far “on the edge” the young ones should live, but I was more kindred spirit than wayward soul back in the day. It wasn’t until years of independence and living away that I would say I truly looked at some things differently that he. And yet, he sharpens me to this day. I hope I do the same for him.

Headin’ into twilight
Spreadin’ out her wings tonight
She got you jumpin’ off the deck
And shovin’ into overdrive

Highway to the Danger Zone
I’ll take you
Right into the Danger Zone

This is the part where it gets harder. My dad is dying. Those words are hard to say, but at the same time there is relief in the utterance. A host to cancer for almost two years now, he has struggled and endured treatments too harsh to wish for anyone. And he does it for someone other than himself. Early in his illness, we had a private bedside conversation where he talked of having lived a good life, some things important to him that he would like me to watch out for, and that he was ready to go whenever it was time.

In that vein, there are other parts of Proverbs 27 that are worth sharing here:

Verse 1: Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring.

Verse 3: A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but the resentment caused by a fool is even heavier.

Verse 10: Never abandon a friend—either yours or your father’s.

Verse 12: A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

Highway to the Danger Zone
I’m gonna take you
Right into the Danger Zone

Dad’s not headed into the danger zone. Quite the opposite. After this season of hardship is over, his peace and his place will be glorious, indeed. It will be my job to ensure that I lead my squadron to the same place going forward.

As iron sharpens iron,
so a friend sharpens a friend.

Thanks, Dad, for keeping the metal under tension. I promise to keep it sharp, and that of others as well.

And, thanks for the hat.

Roger. Maverick has the ball…

*Danger Zone lyrics by Kenny Loggins