"You know that only the good die young." - Billy Joel
Billy Joel was spot on when he sang those words in 1977. Throughout my life, I have seen death come along. We all have. We see our grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, uncles, community leaders and family friends go. Some even have to see their mothers and fathers go Eventually, we will all have to go ourselves, too. Its one of the only things we can certainly count on. "Death and taxes," as the phrase goes. However, as young person, you don't ever expect to see someone your own age go. This past week, I witnessed the celebration of life of an amazing young lady and an incredible young man in the same night. These instances were not connected in any Earthly way, the two were completely unrelated in any way you could think, but I was in attendance at both events and the connection was staring me right in the eyes.
On March 23, I drove from Jacksonville, IL to Jerseyville, IL to attend the wake for my cousin. She was a beautiful, intelligent, sweet, innocent, church-going young lady with all of her life ahead of her. She made no mistake in knowing where she wanted to go and where her life was headed. It was evident by the line snaking all the way out to the street from the funeral home, and the three full parking lots in the surrounding businesses, that she had affected many and was loved by all. Clearly, this was a good person. And, she died young. I saw scores of teenage hearts ripped apart as they saw her in that state for the first time. I saw the anguish and realization that this person, whoever she may have been to them, would never be there to fulfill their role in your life again. It is a truly terrifying thought, and one that I have seen with my own eyes before.
That same night, I drove to my hometown of Staunton, IL. After seeing my mother, I went to a house that I had been to many times before- usually for poker games. But on this night, poker was not being played. Instead, the streets were lined with cars celebrating the life and twenty-first birthday of a young man I went to high school with. He passed almost one full year ago. At his wake, I saw those same faces, and hearts being torn apart by the loss of a friend. Now, one year later, I saw those same people at this celebration with smiles on their faces and new knowledge in their hearts. A knowledge that while he may not be here physically, he is with us all, all of the time.
While it may be true that the best people are always gone too soon, and that it tears us apart when they go. We must know that time heals all and realize that, even when those "good people" are no longer brightening up are lives here, they are doing the "good work" somewhere else.
