There are moments in life when you realize—even while they’re happening—that you’re witnessing something memorable. Last Thursday night was one of those moments.
Not long after Dennis Prager experienced a paralyzing accident, we were informed that he would likely never give another public lecture.
Almost.
For Dennis, that was sufficient. The “almost” is always worth pursuing.
On that Thursday, in a Miami ballroom filled with hundreds, Dennis spoke publicly for nearly an hour. And he was still very much himself. As one of his friends observed: God clearly didn’t take the Prager out of Prager.
His mind was sharp, his humor present, and his remarkable skill in conveying deep ideas remained intact. He discussed themes of suffering, gratitude, happiness, God, and memory. He challenged our thinking, made us laugh, and reminded us of why millions have listened to him over the years.
However, for those of us who have accompanied him through this challenging journey, the evening represented more than just another brilliant lecture by Dennis Prager.
It’s hard to articulate the feelings of sitting with Dennis’s wife, his sons, and his closest friends, witnessing a man achieve what many thought might never happen again. We experienced setbacks, anxiety, and the incredible determination that led to this moment. We prayed, worried, hoped, and celebrated small victories that most people likely wouldn’t typically acknowledge.
Shortly after his accident, a doctor suggested palliative care. But he clearly underestimated Mr. and Mrs. Prager.
“He did not know who Sue Prager was,” Dennis quipped with his signature humor. “That man started with the wrong person.” That determination extended beyond just his wife Sue.
I have observed over the past two years since Dennis’s accident a remarkable community of family, friends, doctors, caregivers, and supporters who have rallied around him. Some travel great distances, while others spend countless hours aiding in his ongoing recovery or assisting him in continuing his intellectual pursuits.
Dennis teaches us that our friends reflect our lives. The individuals we choose to surround ourselves with reveal our character, values, and the lives we create. Looking around that ballroom, I couldn’t help but think that Dennis had indeed attracted a remarkable reflection.
There’s a critical lesson here for parents. We invest so much effort into preparing our children for success in school and their careers. But how much time do we dedicate to teaching them how to select good friends, nurture deep relationships, and cultivate the qualities that will make them companions worth having during life’s hardest times?
Another takeaway is Dennis’s commitment to rational thought. He emphasizes that feelings, no matter how intense, should never replace reason.
On that Thursday evening, he shared that when he first recognized the gravity of his situation, he saw three pathways: death, depression, or perseverance.
“I don’t want to die. I love life as much as I’ve ever loved life,” he told us in Miami. Choosing not to submit to depression, he opted for perseverance.
Dennis’s dedication to reason has not lessened his fidelity to God. Quite the opposite. “I am not disappointed in God,” he told us. He explained he’s never believed that God owes him protection from tragedies. Instead, he’s always been more interested in what God expects from him rather than what he expects from God.
He acknowledged our inability to discern God’s intentions. Why was Sue upstairs at the precise moment he fell, when she typically would’ve been downstairs? Was it divine intervention or pure coincidence? Dennis wouldn’t pretend to know.
“What I do believe is that God is with me at this painful time in my life,” Dennis stated.
Dennis teaches that happiness is a moral obligation and gratitude is critical to a meaningful life. On that stage in Miami, he exemplified these principles.
He spoke candidly about his suffering without allowing it to define him. “My identity is Dennis, not victim,” he asserted.
Consider the moral strength it takes to express those words when you’re unable to move your arms or legs and need help with the simplest tasks.
One of the night’s most touching moments occurred when Dennis surveyed the crowd that had gathered from across the country. He admitted that receiving so much love was overwhelming because he has devoted his life to giving it.
His wife and sons were visibly emotional, and many audience members followed suit, creating a shared brightness in the room that was nearly indescribable.
This was a beautiful reminder that the love we extend to others finds its way back to us, especially during our darkest hours.
Another significant theme in his lecture centered on memory.
“Memory is everything. That is what makes us human,” Dennis shared.
Our memories aren’t just records of the past; they’re integral to who we are in the present. The joy we felt in the past doesn’t vanish just because our circumstances have shifted.
Dennis can reflect on over seventy years of joy with gratitude rather than resentment. His past should be cherished, not resented.
“Gratitude is indispensable to happiness. No gratitude, no happiness. No memory, no gratitude,” he explained.
I realized that on that evening, Dennis was gifting everyone in that ballroom a new memory.
In years to come, we’ll remember the anticipation, his familiar voice, and the profound emotions of witnessing him achieve what once appeared nearly impossible.
Many of us also walked away with a larger lesson relevant to America.
Dennis dedicates his life to upholding the principles that have enabled Western civilization: reason, faith, gratitude, personal responsibility, and moral clarity.
Presently, many people view America and believe the damage to our institutions and culture is irrevocable. They think the challenges we face are insurmountable.
However, Dennis reminds us—something that resonates far beyond his experience—that what seems nearly impossible is not truly impossible.
Dennis assured the audience, “This is the first time I’m giving a public talk in person, but I promise you, it won’t be the last.”
I believe him.
Dennis teaches us how to think and how to live. And on that Thursday, he imparted a lesson on perseverance.
In doing so, he gifted those who care for him a memory that will be cherished forever.
