Gone too soon...

It doesn't matter how old you are, where you live, what you do for a living or who you know, death does not discriminate.

The Impartial Friend: Death, the only immortal who treats us all alike, whose pity and whose peace and whose refuge are for all--the soiled and the pure, the rich and the poor, the loved and the unloved.
- Mark Twain, last written statement; Moments with Mark Twain, Paine

At one time or another we are all affected by the death of someone we have known or been close to. Obviously it is sad to lose anyone that you love, but it is a whole different ball game when that person leaves this earth sooner than we think they should have. It reminds me of the song 'Gone Too Soon' and I find it ironic that the artist who brought this song to the masses also suffered this fate.

In fact when PEOPLE die prematurely, we don't even have to have known them that well for their passing to touch us and make us feel sadness and grief to some extent. We feel sad for the PEOPLE who knew and loved them, we offer comfort and support, but know that nothing we say is going to make them feel better, not really.

Of course if we have experienced premature death of someone close, we have a good idea of how they could be feeling; shock, disbelief, anger, pain, heartache, guilt, regret and sorrow. Old wounds are opened, we are reminded of the PEOPLE that we loved who left too soon, suddenly or otherwise. Our hearts ache at the memory of them, we miss them, some PEOPLE feel guilty because life has moved on without them, we might shed a tear, we might smile, we are reminded of the injustice of it all and say things like; Only the good die young, God takes the best first and Life is too short.

Whether its a disease, an accident, a war, a freak of nature, a genetic hitch, suicide or murder, whenever someone dies it stirs up a whole lot of emotion.

I know this is not always the case, but it seems to me that almost always, the PEOPLE that die young are PEOPLE that have made a great impression on others during their time here, their existence was considered a gift to all who knew them. It's not necessarily about what they acheived but in the way they gave themselves wholeheartedly to others. The PEOPLE I have known (some better than others) that have gone too soon have been loved by everyone who came into contact with them, they had huge personalities, were vibrant, popular, optimistic and loved life and everyone who shared their space, particularly friends and family.

So much so that we often feel their presence long after they are gone, a song, a place or a word can trigger a memory that warms the heart. We imagine them looking down on us and wonder what they would say about situations that we find ourselves in. Photographs serve as a constant reminder that they were here and the memories we made. They have been the kind of PEOPLE that would want those they leave behind to remember them with a smile and celebrate their life at every opportunity, and of course we usually oblige.

Their untimely passing reminds us to cherish those who are dear to us, tell PEOPLE how much we love them, live life to the full and to never take anyone for granted.

I started writing this post in March and it was to be dedicated to someone who was close to me and whose departure I still struggle to come to terms with, but in the last week two young PEOPLE that are friends of PEOPLE that I care about have Gone too soon... that made me want to post this now.

In loving memory of the legendary Sean Green 10th May 1966 - 22nd September 2007.
To live in the hearts of those who loved you is never to die.
Rest In Peace