One day they are here, the next, gone. Whether we know them well, or only walked the halls with them, it's still tragic to see them gone.
Two kids I went to high school with passed away on Sunday from a drug overdose. The news does a great job pointing out the obvious, the drugs, but it fails to report on the type of people who these two young boys were. These boys were brothers, friends to others, and leaders.
When was the last time someone you knew died? Some of us can probably say within the past month or two, which is not uncommon it seems. So far, this year, seven people I knew passed away. Ages 18, 19, 24, 59, 59, 68 and 81. It saddens me to see all of these people go, especially the youngest. All are gone for different reasons, but it is all still the same sadness. Some were friends, some family, and some I had a few classes with. All but three of them were totally unexpected.
All of these ages are considered young, and there are so many different reasons for their deaths: three drug overdoses, one heart attack, one cancer, one liver failure, and one kidney failure. I had heard of other people's deaths, but these are the seven that really hit home.
It never quite seems real, and with time it hopefully gets easier. However, most of us are never over a death. You wonder all of the “What ifs,” the “How did this happen,” the “Whys,” and unfortunately, you'll probably never know why. You're angry, hurt, in denial, and just about everything else in the book of death.
One of the 59 year olds and 68 year old both died on the same day, hours apart. The 18 and 19 year old died within minutes of each other in their home. We don't get to pick a time; it just happens. Some deaths are expected or projected for a specific month range, and some deaths are completely random.
Unexpected deaths are the worst. They are the hardest to deal with because there was no preparation. However, suffering was probably not involved, and if it was, not for long. Expected deaths, well I don't know if you ever expect death, but it's easier to accept it, especially if they are sick and suffering, which no one wants to witness. You feel helpless and hopeless as you watch that person suffer.
You remember all of the good times, their voice, and phrases they would always say, and other little things that only those who knew them best would remember. You miss everything; their smile, phone calls, their smell, those little things they would do that you weren't so fond of, but would do anything to have them do it again.
I know this is a sad, depressing topic, but it will happen to all of us one day. This week was rough for so much of my community and those who knew these boys. My heart goes out for their parents and family.
Although it may not be the cheeriest of topics, we can obviously learn the value of life from these losses. We just have to make sure that we are doing everything we can to protect what we put into our body, and how we take care of our selves. Also, we must be aware of our surroundings and those around us. More importantly, we must cherish those around us. Although some may leave this world naturally, dealing with their departure does not become any easier.
We don't like talking about it, mainly because our whole life is in front of us. Be thankful for what you have and for those around you. Cherish every day.
