James Gandofini: It's Business!

James Gandolfini, dead at age 51

"It's Business!" 

 "We're soldiers. Soldiers don't go to hell. It's war. Soldiers kill other soldiers. We're in a situation where everyone involved knows the stakes and if you are going to accept those stakes, you've got to do certain things. It's business."  (Tony Soprano to his psychiatrist) 

Last Words....

CNN said it best for the character of Tony Soprano:

Tony Soprano was a bully and a lover, a lightning rod and a superstar. And thanks to scripts crafted by David Chase and others, he was also, at times, prophetic, wise, even poetic.

 What do we learn from the real person, James Gandolfini? 
Life is also serious business.  Do you suppose Tony recognized that during his life?  Or, is it only important that we recognize it every time a life passes from us so prematurely?  Death is the great equalizer, no matter what we have achieved in life.  

James Lipton interviewed Gandolfini just a few years ago.  Of course, give big Tony some slack, he knew he was on TV and he was in character...but it is worth remembering:

Lipton:  So what will you say to God when you get to the pearly gates?
Gandolfini:  Take over.  I will be right back!  

That's a joke, of course.  But I truly wonder at what point we no longer take the leading role in our lives and step back and let God step forward.  To make the essential change in life to be led by God instead of leading God around....