Life is Beautiful

I've had a very difficult time trying to figure out what to write about the recent tragedies that have affected people I care about deeply. I've searched for all the right things to say; to offer the perfect words of wisdom to make people think, “Thanks, that's what I needed, I feel better”. But the reality is, I don't have those words.

We all build our lives around the people we love, with no plans for drastic change. We want the people we love and care about to always be where we want them to be. We hope that no tragedy will affect us, and more importantly, those we care about.

But, no matter how hard we try, we can't control those events. We can't escape death; we can't escape tragedy. They are inevitable.

What makes us human is how we deal with it. We are needed and we must carry on. Our lives are all we have and we must treasure them. “Live and love” is more than lip service, it is real. Let those you care about always know that you care about them.

Some pain will never fade; some wounds are too deep. We can't help heal them. Instead, make the scars your personal memorial to the greatness that is gone, and find more greatness – not as a replacement but as an addition.

Death is unfair, not life. Life is beautiful. We know that. Remember that. Celebrate that. Embrace that.

“If you can't be with the one you love, then love the one you're with.”

We're here for a good time, not a long time...

Recently, I attended a dance put on by a local community group. It was held near the end of February, beginning of March, which around here means the time that everyone gets fed up with winter. And, as such was a complete sell-out. Pretty much the entire town attended – which is yet another reason I'm happy I gave up the city.

The dance featured a country band, which is not my first choice for music, but what the hell... The thing is, this was yet another example of what we lose when we lose community.

Here was a party that was attended by people aged nineteen through seventy – and everyone was having fun. At one point, on the dance floor, there were at least three generations of dancing happening; each with their own style. The coolest ones were the eldest ones. They had this waltzing sort of thing happening around the perimeter. About six couples all doing exactly the same dance in exact synchronization. What was really special was that the other generations watched close, several trying to follow along.

I guess what I found here is that a small community tends to include everyone. Its easier and almost necessary. There's more chance to stay connected to everyone and every age. Somehow, we need to be bring this back to all communities.