Lessons from a young life cut short

He was young. His hair was long, he wore his jeans baggy and had his own distinct style. He kept to himself most of the time but was close to his bunch of friends.I never got the chance to know him. He passed away last night.

Perhaps it was in his destiny. Perhaps it was a tragic, tragic twist of fate. But the fact is, it shouldn't have happened. He wasn't ready for it. We weren't ready for it. From what I could tell, he loved life and had immense expectations from it. He wasn't the kind of person who picked fights. He was ever polite and wished me for my birthday even though I had forgotten his. I don't think he ever felt that life was pointless...like I often do.

Yet he is gone and I am here, writing about him- a young life unfairly cut short, just at the very edge of unlimited possibilities. It pains me even though I never really knew him. Perhaps it pains me THAT I never really knew him.

I really hope you're happy up there, wearing your sunglasses and riding your bike. I hope you're smiling down on us as all of us, your numerous friends and family members cry and attempt to digest the fact that though your body is gone, you are fully alive in spirit. You've demonstrated the transience of life, how utterly unpredictable it can be. You've told us that we're bigger than this body which we exercise and nourish and worship. You've taught us to love one another because we never know when we might see each other again. I wish you hadn't had to leave for us to learn this lesson.