A Dedicaton to Those Gone too Soon

When you're a child, it often seems as though your entire life is a blank slate filled with unimaginable promise.  You daydream, you are inspired, you plan out your entire existence, and then change your mind and plan it out again.  You are young, untouchable, infallible.  In no ones plan do they play the part of, the "one", the "statistic", the "life cut too short".  Then it happens, that one incident a little too close to home where your ignorance is lost and you are now in a world where you are no longer immortal.

 I spent the last few days looking through some old photos.  You know, the ones where you are hugging your friends, laughing with care-free abandon,  the world is still your oyster, life is blissful.  And while flipping through I saw the faces of those that will be forever young in my mind, the faces of good friends, the faces that were my "reality check".  They paid the price, so I could learn the lesson.  Not a very good trade off if you ask me. 

So here I am, reminding all of you that there are no guarantees in life.  Do not take it for granted.  A life wasted is a slap in the face to those that lost theirs before they really started living it.  Love with everything you have and remind those closest to you everyday just how much you love them.  Take chances IN life, but not WITH your life.  Forgive, forget, move one...grudges take too much energy.  Never be too proud, or too scared to call your parents if your in a bad situation...no matter how old you are.  Don't accept anything less then what you deserve, life is too short to settle for less.  And always, always, appreciate the life you have because if fate had fallen differently, it could have been you.

Rest In Peace

Forever in our hearts.