In my life thus far, I’ve been fortunate to have been shielded for the most part from the pain of friends and family dying. In fact, before yesterday morning, no family member that I had ever known had died. Yes, many of my ancestors are no longer here, but I never knew them.

I’m 22. For me and many my age, life seems like it will last forever. More than that, it seems that I will be young forever. Now I’m not actually naive enough to think that this perception will match reality, but I have it nonetheless. I suppose that’s why the young seem to enjoy risk more than the old – no matter what we do, we don’t think that there will be any serious consequences.

Still, I know that everything has an end. Countries rise and fall, business wax and wane. What was popular yesterday will not be so tomorrow. Life is no different: creatures are born and eventually die.

But what consoles me is that in death there is new life. Without death, there would be no room for new life.

I hope that everybody I know and love — my family, my friends, my dogs — will be around for a very long time. More than that, though, I hope that I will take advantage of the time I have with them to make good memories. I hope, too, that I never forget.

Remind someone that you love them, make a quality memory with a friend, or spend a hour playing with your dog. You never know when a phone call will wake you up one morning to tell you that you’ll never again have that opportunity.

In memory of my Great-Grandmother
Irene S. Shafer
1903-2004