Here's the poem that John Wooden reads in the piece I showed in worship today. It seems that it was written by a former player of Wooden's.Yonder
by Swen Nader:
Once I was afraid of dying,
terrified of ever-lying,
petrified of leaving family, home and friends.
Thoughts of absence from my dear ones,
brought a melancholy tear once,
and a dredful fear of when life ends.
But those days are long behind me,
fear of leaving does not bind me,
and departure does not hold a single care.
Peace does comfort as I ponder,
a reunion in the yonder,
with my dearest one who is waiting for me there
Another of Nater's poems in honor of his coach is called Beyond The Basketball. I especially appreciate the closing lines of the poem referring to "The Teacher" (capital "T"). I can't help but wonder if he has in mind another teacher whom disciples called Rabbi. When our lives are lived in service of the Kingdom in the name of the master teacher of life, whatever we do has lasting consequence beyond the thing itself.
Beyond the grand Pavilion,
Where Bruin banners span,
Beyond the accolades, I learned
To be a champion man.
Far beyond material,
Or book on any shelf,
Beyond the break, the pass or play,
I learned about myself.
Beyond the fundamentals,
Or how to work the task,
Beyond the "how," I learned the "why"
And learned to think and ask.
Beyond the Bruin uniform,
Beyond the Blue and Gold,
I gained a pride in who I am,
That lasts until I'm old.
And far beyond instruction,
Beyond the hardwood class,
Beyond the game and all the tests,
Beyond the fail or pass,
The Teacher loved me, so he coached
Beyond gymnasium wall.
I thank my God, The Teacher taught,
Beyond the basketball
