This article is dedicated to the beautiful Carolena Elowsky and wonderful Maura Brandi and their family. May our thoughts and prayers be with you all.

In a sense, little is the perfect description of how we live our day-to-day lives. We spend so much time worrying what others will think; about the little things, that we forget to take a step back and put life in perspective. Life is too short to be all consumed with things that are ultimately insignificant. 

Life is too short to worry about nonsense, like how others perceive you. It is too short to be obsessed with people who don’t value you and recognize your worth. And life is certainly too short to not thank each and every person who has shaped your life in some way. Whether they made you laugh, made you cry, taught you a lesson, or just held a door, each person who crosses your path in life serves a purpose, and a purpose not to be overlooked. We don’t have all the answers. None of us do. We are all still learning each and everyday. 

We don’t know what our future holds, or what our next five or ten years even looks like, because a lot can happen in a short amount of time. But it’s important that we remind ourselves every once in a while that each day is special. Every day that we are awake is a blessing, and to be given the opportunities we’re given is a privilege. It’s unfortunate that sometimes these lessons are brought about by devastation, but every day is a lesson, and this an important one to learn nonetheless.

No matter how old you are, how smart you think you are or how much you think you’ve experienced, the concept of life being so uncertain is still undoubtedly foreign. You hear stories in the news of terrible accidents, brutal murders, and even horrid suicides, but you never think it will happen to you or someone you know. When and if it does, it seems like a whirlwind. Nothing else matters.

It is a feeling no one can describe other than: shock. Your body goes numb and your mind goes empty, and you’re flooded with emotions you can’t name or describe. You find that all you can say is, “life is too short, life is too short.” When you start to grasp reality and the words begin to sink in, your mind wanders a million different places with the equivalent amount of thoughts. Why? How? But the answers to those questions make no difference. Nothing changes the fact that life is short. Cherish every moment. Take more breaths and take more steps back. Because nothing in life is guaranteed, not even the literal word of it.

We are only human, strength does not define us, and no matter how strong a person is, death can make even the strongest go weak. Remember that in times of tragedy, you have people to support you always, but don’t take any of these people for granted. For at the end of the day, all we have is the love of our loved ones to keep us going.

Rest in peace, beautiful angels. Heaven is lucky to have you both.