Nickerson FYS2 Integration 3 Dr. David Lassen Moreau First Year Experience 4 March 2022 Content at the End George Washington, in the farewell address in which he voluntarily walked away from the human will to power, said: Though, in reviewing the incidents of my administration, I am unconscious of intentional error, I am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors. Whatever they may be, I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope that my country will never cease to view them with indulgence; and that, after forty five years of my life dedicated to its service with an upright zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions of rest. (Washington's Farewell Address, September 19, 1796). This was the sentiment Aidan expressed to me shortly before he passed. Aidan—a strong practitioner of introspection—was acutely aware of the impact of his relationships with others. A subscriber of Pico Iyer, he too believed that “It’s only by stepping farther back and standing still that we can begin to see what that canvas (which is our life) really means, and to take in the larger picture” ("Why we need to slow down our lives” by Pico Iyer - Moreau FYE Week One). This practice of introspection began at his Jesuit high school, where he learned to practice the Ignatian Examen. He believed self-knowledge, through introspection, colors and reveals God’s presence in our lives. It was this practice that allowed him to not stress about the little things throughout his life, because worrying about the outcome of an exam or a long term project would only cripple him from enjoying the present— living. Living was also how he discerned his career in medicine. When his college career center told him that “The only way to know more about yourself is to test the waters - just get out and experience life!”Aidan took it to heart ("Navigating Your Career Journey” by the Meruelo Family Center for Career Development - Moreau FYE Week Four). He discovered a passion for medicine and care for others by simply doing. Whether volunteering at Memorial Hospital’s NICU or shadowing a family friend, Aidan discerned his passion at a relatively young age. But Aidan also understood that a constant reappraisal of “is this working for me” and the courage to change or leave if the answer to that question is “no” is necessary to career happiness, and was always open to new opportunities. Surrounded by death in the clinical environment had a tremendous impact on Aidan’s outlook on life. Like Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble, Aidan recognized that death is not inherently bad— it is everyone’s reality whether we like it or not. Accepting this and remembering our death “keeps us awake, focused, and ready for whatever might happen — both the excruciatingly difficult and the breathtakingly beautiful” ("Meet the nun who wants you to remember that you will die" by Ruth Graham - Moreau Week Three). After the death of his coach Andew Lee, Aidan recognized that celebrating the good done by the dead—in Andew’s case, his example of selfless leadership and tenacity and hope—reveals the breathtaking beauty of humanity. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-CDOC-106sdoc21/pdf/GPO-CDOC-106sdoc21.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-CDOC-106sdoc21/pdf/GPO-CDOC-106sdoc21.pdf https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/us/memento-mori-nun.html https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/us/memento-mori-nun.html In addition to Andew, there were many figures throughout Aidan’s life that he credits for inspiration and guidance. His parents, for one, provided him with incredible and selfless support and opportunities throughout his life. These figures helped give Aidan perspective. J.D. Kim, for example, was confined to a wheelchair after an accident and without function in most of his body. He was in such despair that he said “One of the sad things was that I couldn't even attempt to use any weapons to take away my life” (“5 Minutes” by Aria Swarr - Moreau FYE Week Six). However, he turned to God for support and became an inspiring speaker and pastor. Life, Aidan learned through J.D., was not about avoiding suffering but instead responding to it with God, with cheer, and with others. Suffering was and continues to be all around. As a physician, father, husband, and friend, Aidan tried to ease the suffering of those around him and be a source of joy. Throughout his life, Aidan sought out relationships with others— those from all walks of life and whose presence here today is a testimony to his friendship. Aidan, in the words of Fr. Greg Boyle, tried to bridge “the gulf of mental judgment and replac[e] it with kinship” (Tattoos on the Heart by Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J. - Moreau FYE Week Seven). Putting past disagreements aside, embracing differences, and engaging in a relationship was something Aidan tried to do with everyone he knew, even if it sometimes took him a while to look past prior transgressions. In addition to Fr. Greg Boyle, Aidan has spoken many times about the influence of Father Ted Hesburgh in his life. As a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Aidan was very familiar with the life of Fr. Hesburgh. Aidan kept one line from Hesbugh’s 1987 Laetare Medal Address on the wall of his office— a line which I am sure he would want you all to also live by. We don’t know where we're going from here and we don’t know what we’re going to do. But I can guarantee you there are a lot of battles yet to be won for justice. There are a lot of mountains yet to be climbed to overcome human ignorance and human prejudice and at times human stupidity. There are many songs yet to be sung in the name of joy and happy marriages and good families and a dedication to all that’s good and true and beautiful. (“Hesburgh” produced by Jerry Barca and Christine O’Malley - Moreau FYE Week Two) Building bridges, fighting battles, climbing mountains, and approaching life with a smile and quick joke, finding meaning through action and introspection— this is what Aidan took from Fr. Hesburgh. I had a conversation with my old roommate many years ago about a life well-lived— back in 2022 when we were freshman (Moreau FYE Week 5). Back then, he said he wanted to feel like he’s made a difference, to be happy, and share that happiness with others. He told me that he realized that he didn't need to save the world or cure cancer to live a life well-lived. Although he tried to cure cancer, he made a positive impact on all those he met. That, I believe, would satisfy him. A human, he erred many times, yet as he now enters the “mansions of rest” I know I will remember him fondly. https://grottonetwork.com/make-an-impact/transform/why-does-god-allow-suffering/?utm_source=moreau&utm_medium=class&utm_campaign=spring_2022 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/41088/files/524008?module_item_id=168045 https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=10159379-7eca-4549-8581-ab9500c9ecd9