A young woman died yesterday. I didn't know her well, but I did know her name, her face. The loss is not mine, really, but it's closer than those tragedies I read of in the newspaper. She woke up one morning healthy- loving her daughters, being loved by friends, family, her community. Today she is simply gone- erased from the earth but for the devastation her sudden death leaves behind.
We have all read those inspiring quotes about living each day as though it is the last, because one day it will be. We smile, nod at the truth of the words, then forget them mere moments later. We go about our lives, more focused on the irritations and aggravations than those simple moments of love and joy.
I wish I could say that this time will be different. That the lesson of this young woman's death will settle into my heart and remind me daily to celebrate more and complain less. Chances are, though, that soon this loss- once removed from my life- will fade into a sad memory, and with it the lessons that today seem so obvious, so real, so heartbreaking, will fade as well.
Today I hope the people who loved her, who can't comprehend that the story of their lives will continue without her to write on every page, find peace and acceptance in the midst of their grief.
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