Lessons from Loss

This post is going to be sad. So don't cry when you read it. Take in the lessons and think of the people like the one I describe.

Here is a question for you: Why do some of the greatest people die young? What is death really?

This is a question that can't really be answered. Saying someone has died and saying someone is gone are two completely different things. When someone is gone, they are gone forever, never to be seen or heard from or of, again. However, when death takes a person, they are still there. Where, do you ask? In your HEART and in your MIND. Their physical appearance might be gone, but the best qualities about the person are still there. Their lessons, their memories, their loves. They leave us with their motivations and challenges. They leave us with their approach to life and the way they loved their family. Or the way that they helped people and the way they made everyone feel like they were at home. And of course, the way they strived to change peoples lives for the better, whether saving lives with their profession or giving advice. These qualities are in lots of people, but it is hard to find a person who has them all.

There is a person I know who just past away a few weeks ago. And most or all of the people who are actually reading this blog know who he is. He devoted his life to helping all children. In this sense, he is an inspiration to all of us. He is in many other ways. But he was like any other man in that he loved his family more than anything in the world. Unlike most people, however, he was devoted to his family and he guided his family. He still does, with the lessons he left behind. But he doesn't just teach his family. Every person who would be near him, would feel the radiance of his smile or the warmth of his heart. It would shine down on you. Not just shine, but glisten. There are not many ways to describe it. However, I am going to try. He was a person who encouraged people. He encouraged people to try new things, and to not give up. Whether it was on studying material for your science final, trying Chinese food halfway around the world, or encouraging people to find their passion in life. Like playing the guitar or the piano, or baseball. To do things you enjoy, like to write or to play video games. He put every person to ease in all social settings. He made each individual who stepped near him or into his home, feel special or important. And the magical thing about it, was he made each person feel special or important in a unique way. A completely different way than any other person.

I bet you can think of other people who have gone on some of the same quests and possess the qualities and traits in their lives that this person embodied. The lesson of this post is a way to live your life and to inspire people around you and be inspired. When you lose someone, you keep with them the lessons they taught you and the love they've given you. We should strive to make a difference in not only the our own lives, but the lives of others. He gave random acts of kindness. This is a way to live life. And to live life to it's fullest in that way.