Today I woke up to learn that a neighbor of our’s died of cancer.  Her kids are in 4th and 7th grade and her son is very close to my boys.  I’ve been so sad because they are a very nice family and the kids are sweet and wonderful and this all seems so unfair.  I have had friends who have lost parents at early ages (some in their teens or twenties) and I know what a hole it left in their hearts and lives.  These kids are even younger and at a much more needy and impressionable age.  Their mom was well in the beginning of the year and then gone by the end.  I can’t even fathom.  It could have happened to anyone but God or fate chose them.

I hope my prayers can help them gain strength.  They are a well-liked family so I know there will be support but it won’t replace their loss.  There is really no understanding all this.  I’m not in anyway ready to lose my parents and I am grown with children of my own.  All I can do is cherish all the blessed time I have with my family.  I can make sure my kids stay close to her son since this 9 year old will need friends.  I can tell from the reaction of my kids that they don’t understand death at this age.  I don’t know if we ever do.

I just think these tragedies remind us not to take each other for granted.  It shows us that silly things are not worth getting upset over.  It reminds us that we should cherish each moment with our loved ones.  We can just pray that none of our loved ones are taken too soon but we can’t really control fate.