High-risk surgery worth it all

My favorite memory of Billy Jim Vaughn  was in 2004 when I took my son, Daniel, to Billy Jim's house.  He heart valve was failing and it was only a short time (months) before he would die from its effects. 

He was 92 years old at the time.  The only option was to do open heart surgery and replace the valve.  He would certainly be the oldest patient ever to have this at Baptist Hospital and probably in the City of Nashville.  He was felt to be such a high risk that I was in a quandry as to even consider it.

So on  Saturday afternoon, Daniel (who was one of his Eagle Scouts), and I went to see him and make a final decision.  Either let him die in the next month or so; or take the risk of losing him due the surgery  I had scheduled for him the following week. 

We all  prayed together and afterword he said, "You know, Dr. Cage, I still have things I want to do in the world and people to help."  I think we need to proceed and get this show on the road. I have a great faith and a great faith in you.” 

It is now almost five years later, and he got through surgery with flying colors. True to his word, he continued to inspire and help all of us by his encouragement and attitude.  He never looked back.

Right now, he's probably talking to God about some young man down here on earth, that he thinks need his help.  You know, God is listening and probably taking his advice.

--John Bright Cage, M.D.

 

Billy Jim was in one of our weekly tennis foursome some 20 years ago. He had heart problems even then but could tolerate playing doubles without difficulty.

 

One night one of our group failed to come so we were relegated to playing singles. We rotated sets with one member of the group sitting out.

 

During my set Billy Jim began to complain of heart pain. He refused to stop playing even at my strongest plea. Not wanting to do CPR at the tennis center, I concentrating on hitting every ball short and down the middle. I wonder to this day if his angina was a bit of tennis gamesmanship. But then, Billy Jim wouldn't do such a thing.

 

 

 

The opportunity to be with Billy Jim for scout events during the past several years has taught me some very important life lessons. The best way to describe three lessons that come to me at this time could be titled...

 

1. Be an Encourager. Billy Jim was always encouraging Scouts to be the best they could be and to do the right thing. I heard Billy Jim's statement, "You are all good boys" so many times when addressing the Scouts. 

 

How many times do young boys NEED to hear that affirmation? As often as possible. How many times do they hear that during the pre-teen and teenage years from parents, teachers, friends, etc.? Not often enough.

 

Billy Jim always gave his Scouts something to live up to.

 

2. Smile. No one who knew Billy Jim will ever forget that smile. It was so open and sincere. 

3. Make lots of friends. Everyone was Billy Jim's friend. Of course being an encourager and smiling was part of the equation, but it went beyond that. He loved people and was interested in them.    He was interested in all his Scouts and wanted them to lead a good life.

 

Scouting brought Billy Jim a multitude of friends. In his passing, he has given us a secret to a long and happy life as it relates to friendship. Men who live as long as Billy Jim will most certainly outlive most of their friends, but that was not possible with him. You see, every year for over 70 years, when new Scouts would come into the Troop, Billy Jim got a new group of 11 and 12 year old friends. By this, he knew that he would never outlive all his friends.    

 

We should all hope to make friendships for as long as we live. 

 

 

My son, Joseph Edward "Joe" Robinson, earned his Troop 1 Eagle Scout rank 15-Feb-03 under Billy Jim's tutelage, and scheduled his Court of Honor (the ceremony wherein the Scout receives his rank) for 4-May-03 Sunday afternoon. As Scoutmaster, BJ typically participated in all Courts of Honor. However, earlier that week, Billy Jim had one of his first heart episodes. He was several days in hospital, and not expected to be released until mid-week after. Sunday morning, Billy Jim announced to hospital staff that he had been there long enough, had an important appointment to keep, and was leaving whether they liked it or not. The Court of Honor went on as planned, with Billy Jim there in uniform to confer rank. To Joe, this was classic Billy Jim dependability, typifying the trustworthy, loyal, kind, and brave aspects of the Scout Law. We're forever grateful also for Joy's unwavering loyalty, kindness, and bravery in support of his commitment to Scouting.

 

I first met my Billy Jim Vaughn in June 1975. That is when I became a member of Boy Scout Troop One. I can remember it clearly. Back then, we played a game called kill ball. By the description, you can only imagine that it was a rough game. Every member of the troop played from the youngest scout to oldest leader. The object of the game was to get a round ball down a field through two metal trashcan lids any way that you can. I was a new scout, so Billy Jim wanted me to play. I was placed on a team and the other team kicked off. I ended up with the ball somehow, so I started running down the field. Billy Jim tackled me. I thought a freight train hit me! While I lied on the ground, Billy Jim came over, patted me on my back, and said, "Welcome to the Troop One family." This lesson on how to be tough was one of many lessons that Billy Jim would teach me over next 34 years.

 

Billy Jim taught me how to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, thrifty, brave, clean, and relevant.

 

Billy Jim was my 9th grade Sunday school teacher, scoutmaster, mentor, honorary grandpa and, best of all, a true friend. I truly will miss him.

 

 

Billy Jim was famous for his Scoutmaster Minutes. At the end of every Scout meeting, the Scoutmaster gets up and tells a story, which usually is tied to something Scout-ish. There were none better than Billy Jim.

 

Two Minutes come to mind. One was for the Troop and the other was a Scoutmaster Training program out at Boxwell Scout Reservation near Gallatin. I will try to paraphrase as best I can.

 

"You know, there was a time when Brentwood wasn't so affluent. We actually had some really poor places and one those was the Hardscrabble Community, right up on the hill behind the Hilton Hotel. Well, one Christmas, we went up to that hill and took Christmas presents and food to a man who lived in a tar paper shack that had no central heat and no central plumbing. He had nothing and he said nothing when we gave him the presents and food. But it was a great lesson for those boys. They realized that not everyone is as fortunate as they were.

 

What we all need to understand is that you have to look out for those who are less fortunate. You have to give back to your community, to your fellow man and do so not expecting thanks. You do it because it is the right thing to do."

 

What a great lesson for this Season!

 

The other minute was at the end of a long training day for a group of adult leaders who were learning more about leadership skills and how to best help boys become solid young men, something that I have witnessed time and time again in my Scouting experience.

 

"You know, I believe that each boy is like a fine and expensive jewel. Each one is different and they certainly aren't perfect. They have their flaws just like most finished diamonds do. And you know, even flawless diamonds don't start out perfect. They are as rough as rough can be. It takes the hands of a fine craftsman to cut the facets into that diamond so that it becomes perfect.

 

Your job as Scout leaders is to cut those facets and to handle each on these boys with care. Remember you are shaping these boys lives and a certain amount of confidence is needed but so is a certain amount of finesse. You can't hammer these boys into fine diamonds, you have to chip and provide leadership, kindness and lead by example."

 

These are two of my most cherished "jewels" that Billy Jim gave to me.