Would you have "God Bless America" played at your memorial service?

The final song that summarizes your life and commemorates your beliefs and symbolizes how you life your life...Is that the song you would choose? It probably wasn't on my list. I could think of several other hymns that would work or all other types of songs I strongly relate to. So, would it be a wish of yours for it to be played in your memory?

You might if you truly felt proud and blessed to be an American. Who would have thought that a young Cuban athlete would teach me more about my American-born privileges than anyone else in the world? And, of course, I didn't know him personally. And unfortunately, it was after he passed.

Last weekend, the fans and players of Major League Baseball were shocked and stunned to the saddening and tragic news of the death of Cuban baseball player, Jose Fernandez, an ace with a bright future with the Miami Marlins. He was killed in a boating accident in Miami and the story is horrendous as speed seemed to play a factor when the boat on the waters hit a stone jetty and it was reported that he was killed upon impact. This was just hours after he talked to the media about the team. It was just days before he was supposed to start on the mound again. It was all so abrupt and unexpected.

But I'm not here to tell how he died or even about his sports career, though he was the first Cuban to unanimously receive the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year recognition. Stats are a little less meaningful when Jose Fernandez had so much more to offer as a human being. His story is one of a true "American" hero who might just be the epitome of living the American dream by playing a game that is "America's favorite pastime."

I'm here to talk about what Jose Fernandez's life legacy did for my own reflections on America and being a citizen of this country. And it is one that makes me feel guilt because I didn't realize my privileges. I didn't realize how gracious I should be for all of the opportunity we have here. I'm not sure I fully encompass the idea but if I could sit and talk to Fernandez, I'm sure he would share one hell of an insight.

While I can personally say that as a fan of the Kansas City Royals, I didn't follow many other teams that much so I probably learned more about Fernandez after his passing than I learned about him while he performed on the mound. I actually challenge you to do the same and to watch videos of this young man. In every single video I have seen, his enthusiasm is contagious as is his smile and humor. His love for his mother and abuela is that which is truly admirable. And while baseball made him famous, it's his legacy which will leave one heck of a mark. (I highly encouage you to use Google and take in what you can because you can learn a lot more from him than you can from any textbook or class.)

Anyway, what I did learn was beyond baseball and it gave me a unique perspective on being an American that really only someone who wasn't born an American could give me.

So what was so special about his story?

If you followed Jose Fernandez while he was alive, or even post-mortem, you'd find out that he wasn't just a 24-year-old with a spot in the starting rotation for the Marlins. This young man was a millennial with a plan. In his passing, there didn't seem to be any mention of a father but instead, a strong devotion to his mother and his grandmother who taught him the game of baseball as a child in Cuba. His sincerity and love for the women in his life is truly admirable and he always seems so sensitive. When his grandmother was able to visit from Cuba in a surprise arranged by the Marlins organization, he said that her visit was better than any award ever. That's love.

Along with his mother, he tried to escape Cuba multiple times, even being arrested before his fourth and final try was successful. During his journey as a refugee, he was ironically also on a boat to escape to freedom when a splash in the darkness in the water caused him to jump in. The victim: His own mother. He saved her life and had no idea when he jumped in who it even was. He was a teenager and already was a selfless human being.

There have been hundreds, if not thousands, of videos and photographs to pay tribute to number 16 and the legacy he left behind. When you watch the club organization's leaders cry (because grown men aren't supposed to, right?), then you knew the kid touched a lot of hearts. Even not really knowing that much about his career, I was compelled to learn so much more because I admired what motivated him and it certainly didn't seem to be money. He was proud but I don't think that should at all be mistaken for arrogance. He seemed humble and that's just speculation. But, like I said, when a whole league of men are so touched by the loss of a young man and tears are rolling down the faces of players on several different teams, you know he made an impact. By the vast number of tributes given to Fernandez the day of his death and within the days following, the emotions ran high and you could see it on each of the players' faces.

If legacy Don Mattingly's strong words of compassion for Fernandez's family wasn't enough to bring a person to tears, you had a cold soul. And I challenge you to watch the press conference without shedding a tear.

Fernandez obviously was a great guy with a smile that extended from foul pole to foul pole. He seemed to have fun and he had announced that he was soon going to be a dad. (In fact, during his memorial service, it was recalled how desperate he was to meet his unborn daughter and he was said to be so excited yet concerned because he wanted to be a good dad.)

But that's not all. In fact, Fernandez's life might have ended, but I'm sure his legacy and story hasn't. Why? Let me tell you my perspective and you can take it for what it's worth.

When Jose Fernandez's memorial service was on TV, I was honestly a little bit shocked. It seemed unusual to have a funeral on television. It was like reliving Michael Jackson or Whitney Houston tributes...but from a different perspective. He simply wasn't at their caliber of celebrity yet. That day, I was working from home as I always do and was also hanging out with my father. MLB Network aired Fernandez's service live on TV and it was one of the saddest things I have ever seen. Part of it I didn't even understand because it was in Spanish and I'm not even close to fluent. But I could catch the drift. By the time the casket made its journey to the hearse, my dad and I were both crying by the remarkable tribute paid to this young man who seemed so full of life, laughter and talent.

Those who remembered him talked about how proud he was to be an American and that people just didn't understand. He told people that they didn't understand. It was all about the freedom! Americans were born into freedom and he had to escape to his. In fact, he risked his life to do so. He had been a U.S. citizen for a short time when he passed but he was elated to finally have that freedom. There was no way to keep a dry eye as the players remembered him and not only his joy for baseball but for his overall lookout on life and how he treated people and how gracious he was to be free.

Yes, this is him taking his oath when becoming a United States citizen...

When the pallbearers wheeled out his casket, there was no sound of "How Great Thou Art," even though his funeral was a religious mass. No. Instead the song that played as he passed through the aisles of his beloved teammates, family and friends was "God Bless America." A Cuban-born man with a short stint as an American citizen was given the final tribute of the lyrics, "God Bless America, Land that I love..." His family chose to symbolize and memorialize his life with one of our country's most powerful songs which pays tribute to how grateful we should be to have a life in America.

What a way to be remembered...But have those of us who were born Americans forgotten? We're pretty lucky, you know. Fernandez seemed to know it. He seemed so mature in his mentality though he still had the giddiness of a Little Leaguer. Real men pay respect to a country they call their own. (Note that football player who will remain nameless who won't show respect to the American flag right now. His choice, his decision, his attitude...and maybe he could learn a lesson from Fernandez...but this isn't about him, is it?)

So here's where it gets kind of hairy. It is a crazy political season with the Presidential election. But it seems as though we have forgotten a few things. These were things that Fernandez's legacy instilled in me. We are lucky if we were born here. There is so much political struggle with everyone being so hateful in a hustle to be the one who is right. We forget how blessed or lucky we really are.

Guess what? No one is right. Everyone argues with passion, hate and sometimes ignorance. I kind of wonder what Fernandez thought of all of this mud-slinging and lack of integrity by political parties. I could think of a few politicians (and people, including myself) who could learn a lot from this young man's morals.

But you know what? As aggravating as that all can be, and as difficult as it is to share our political passions with our friends, family or even strangers, and not be shunned for our beliefs, there is one thing to keep in mind: We are free. We are free to have these thoughts and expressions. We can't be imprisoned for our thoughts and we will be OK about speaking our mind as long as it doesn't endanger anyone and it is peaceful.

Did Jose Fernandez grow up with those luxuries? Probably not. I didn't grow up in Cuba so I don't know. This kid was arrested and risked his life to be in our position! It makes me think that we really need to check ourselves. It seems that a Cuban-born man was very much patriotic while some of us Americans sometimes just act like entitled jerks. Perhaps we can learn a little bit more from immigrants to this country. And let me tell you, I had a completely different stance on immigration before learning his story. His love for America seemed so strong and pure and untouched by everything that seems wayward.

What I do know, however, is that what we take for granted is something that a young athlete was so proud of. He was proud to be an American citizen. In this whirlwind of political anger and hostility, people are ready to flee the country. But why? In reality, we probably really are spoiled Americans. Sure, things are tough and times get hard and sometimes we don't like what's going on and there is turmoil. But look at the other countries in this world that have little more than hope. I never thought Cuba was surely that bad but I suppose if you're willing to risk your life multiple times to get out, there's obviously a reason why.

Jose Fernandez...

Look at those photos. Look at the stars and stripes and that proud smile. He was described as being elated to be a citizen of America and to be free.

Are you?

Or are you like me and need a little reminder?

One thing about it, sir, you didn't die in vain. So much could be learned from your example. So, rest in peace, number 16. The waters that brought you in were the same that took you away. I guess in a way, you are free once again.