Life’s Unfortunate Events

Last week was a really tough week. Two friends that I went to high school with passed away just days apart from one another.

The first friend passed away at the age of 32 years. He was a very prominent news anchor in Atlanta. We had gone to school together since the 8th grade. I must admit that of all of my former classmates, he would be one of the least likely that I would expect to receive this type of news about. He had gone to Africa over the Christmas holiday, came home and fell ill and never recovered. His funeral was like the high school reunion that we never had. As much as I have avoided my high school classmates, I have to be honest in saying that it was a pleasure to see most of them without having to answer the “what are you doing now” question. Most of us were preoccupied with celebrating the life of our high school class president that had in some way inspired us all. The last time I spoke to him, we joked about how he had failed in his duties to plan our 10 year high school reunion. At the end, he reunited the class of 95 after all.

The second friend also passed away at the age of 32 years. She passed away after a battle with cancer. The last time I had seen her we were at the polls voting. We spoke briefly while in line but didn’t have a chance for an extended conversation. I remember thinking to myself that she didn’t look like her gorgeous self. She was wearing a wig and appeared very thin. Instead of sincerely asking “how are you?” I just brushed it off and kept on going with my day. I really wished that I had asked. She may have told me and then again maybe not. Either way, at least she would have known that I was concerned.

I tell of these passings to remind us all that life is short. It is important to live everyday to its fullest. We must remember to love hard and laugh often.

Happy Friday!

Clutch

Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women.