Life is Too Short

A dear friend lost his brother in a tragic accident last Thursday.  He was cutting trees at their parents house, when one bounced back and pinned him under it.  Their 86 year old father stood helplessly by and watched his youngest son slowly die before the EMTs could get there.  Big brother arrived at the same time as the EMTs; they were all too late to help him.  He was non-responsive at that point and pronounced dead at the hospital.

He was only 52 years old.  Actually, he would have been 52 yesterday.  His family couldn't have his funeral on his birthday, so it is today.  After a couple of failed marriages, he finally met his perfect match about 6 years ago and they have been married about 5 years. Thankfully, his last few years were happy ones and spent with someone that he could enjoy a rich full life with.

My heart aches for my friend, to have lost his only sibling. Sadly, I have 1st hand experience. They were very close and involved in so many things together.  But even more, my heart aches for their parents.  To lose a child is the greatest pain and loss a person can experience.  To witness it and be helpless to do anything? Even worse.

It's a grave reminder that life is too short, and can be even shorter when least expected. 

And all I can do is pray for all of them.  How I wish I could do so much more...........