Memento Mori
Life is short, so remember your priorities
Seattle talk radio host Dori Monson passed away Sunday evening at the age of 61. Though I never met him, his voice was as familiar to my ears as that of my closest friends. He was a familiar companion on commutes ever since I was a teenager, and I enjoyed his common-sense conservative approach to social and political issues in my former home state.
The fact that he was almost always the highest rated show in Seattle showed that, despite its reputation, there were still many conservative families who hungered for a brave voice to speak truth to power. He boldly preached conservative values from the heart of blue America, fearlessly calling out the mendacity of elected officials throughout Washington. He was never afraid to tell it like it is, even when a tweet mocking the pretensions of transgenderism cost him his job hosting the Seahawks pregame show. He loved all sports, and for many years he coached girls basketball at his daughters’ school. He was a devoted father to three girls, all now grown to adulthood.
His passing is a reminder to all of us of how short life can be, and how sudden the end can come. Just over a week ago, on Christmas Eve, he tweeted:
When he wrote those words he had no idea that his time had grown as short as it had, but even if he knew I doubt he would have changed a thing. He said in a recent interview that, “About twenty years ago there were three things I wanted to be: A husband and father, a talk show host, and a basketball coach. So the fact that I’m able to do all of those things at the same time, how lucky can anybody possibly get?”
Life is too short for nonsense. One of the most impactful stories I read in childhood was Thornton Wilder’s three act play Our Town. Act 1 is a day in the life in the quiet town of Grovers Corners, focusing on a teenage girl named Emily who falls in love with a boy named George. Act 2 is their wedding day, and Act 3 picks up shortly after Emily’s death in childbirth. Emily’s spirit is given the chance to revisit her life, but she finds it too painful after watching how she and her family took each day and each other for granted, not realizing how short life really is.
That imagery has stuck with me ever since. None of us know what tomorrow might bring, and so we shouldn’t take each day and each other for granted. Whether you’re young and single, still searching for direction in your life, or you have young children, and find yourself frustrated with their antics, or if you’re a grandparent, struggling with an empty nest, you must take special meaning from each day and each moment. None of us were put on this earth to simply exist, to take up space. Each one of us has a mission, and we only get one shot at a mortal life.
In January of 1989, 34 years ago, Ronald Reagan spoke to the nation for the last time as president. He concluded his farewell address with this:
We've done our part. And as I walk off into the city streets, a final word to the men and women of the Reagan revolution, the men and women across America who for eight years did the work that brought America back. My friends: We did it. We weren't just marking time. We made a difference. We made the city stronger, we made the city freer, and we left her in good hands. All in all, not bad, not bad at all.
My friends, make sure you’re not just marking time. Take to heart the lessons of Ronald Reagan, of Emily of Grover’s Corners, and of Dori Monson: Life is short, so decide what is truly important to you, and make each moment something to be proud of.
Your article was beautifully written, as always. Your comment about life being short and making each moment one to be proud of is incredibly valid. However, it’s possible that Dori Monson’s death at age 61 was avoidable. The elephant in the room is the Covid-19 shots, especially when sudden deaths from cardiac events are involved.
I searched Brave for "Dori Monson vaccine" to learn more about Dori Monson's death. I found it here (among other places): https://thelibertydaily.com/conservative-show-host-dori-monson-who-died-suddenly-on-new-years-eve-had-adverse-reaction-to-covid-vaccine-following-second-dose/. Most of the headlines returned included the now-familiar phrase: “Died suddenly.”
Here are some key quotes from this article:
• Headline: Died Suddenly on New Year’s Eve, Had Adverse Reaction to Covid “Vaccine” Following Second Dose | By J.D. Rucker • Jan. 2, 2023
• The death of famous conservative radio personality Dori Monson sent shockwaves across Seattle and the talk radio world. He was just 61-years-old when he had a “cardiac event” at his home that put him in the hospital for two days. He died just before the new year.
• According to his report on a show he did April 13, 2021, he had an adverse reaction to his second dose of the Moderna Covid jab and had to take a rare sick day. During the show, he expressed his desire to be vaccinated based on his age and the fact that he believed there was a “tiny, tiny” chance of having adverse reactions to the jabs.
• Despite being at least double-jabbed himself, Monson adamantly opposed vaccine mandates and became one of Washington Governor Jay Inslee’s most vocal critics on his handling of the pandemic.
• Trending: Dr. Peter McCullough Says Vaxx-Induced Myocarditis Must Be Considered as 24-Year-Old Damar Hamlin Suffers Cardiac Arrest (https://thelibertydaily.com/dr-peter-mccullough-believes-damar-hamlins-heart-stopped-due-to-commotio-cordis/?utm_source=website_link_trending1)
Related: “Until Proven Otherwise”— Featuring Cardiologists Dr. Peter McCullough + Dr. Aseem Malhotra | Vaccine Safety Research Foundation | Published November 4, 2022 : https://rumble.com/v1rl1kk-until-proven-otherwise-featuring-cardiologists-dr.-peter-mccullough-dr.-ase.html
Great article Brian. I share the same age as Dori. I am reminded when I see my Grandchildren how short life is and I hope to be around for a while to enjoy watching them grow up and be a positive influence in their lives. I have had those angry leftist on social media in the past tell me that I am aging out and what do I care about this or that, but their ignorance of what I want to leave behind for my children and grandchildren is not only what society we have built, but what is eternal. We live in dark times and we need to continue to be happy warriors and also shine the light Matthew 5:16.