Two people I knew died recently.   I suppose there’s nothing like people in your age group (middle age) dying that makes you stop and pay attention to your own life.

He surprised me.  In the early 90’s when we worked together I thought of him as larger than life.  Tall, strong, handsome.  He always walked with a swagger, as if he was something special and he knew it.  He seemed to know he had the “it” factor.  How did he go from having life light up his face to deciding that life was no longer worth living?

Her ending wasn’t such a surprise as her downward spiral started many years ago.  Her family, friends and co-workers tried to help many times and in many ways over the years.  But, even losing her career to addiction didn’t make a difference.

Pain is the common factor and most of us haven’t been in such deep despair.  Sure, we struggle but somehow manage to grab on to our faith, our strength, our friends and family and we keep going.  The lives lost remind us to keep moving, to try and do it with purpose and direction.  The deaths remind me to not take things for granted, to do the things I say I’m going to do.  They remind me to take the time to share my love and my life, to not hold back.

I’m reminded again that life is short yet precious.  I’m reminded that I have things I want and need to do before I leave this place.  I’m grateful for the reminder but hate the cost.