Both Terry and I are struggling with the emotions and the gut-wrenching questions that come with facing death – especially the loss of young people. (See Terry’s post about Ben.)
Friends of mine recently lost their 27-year-old son after a three-year battle with cancer. The depth of their loss overwhelms me. I attended the memorial service and immediately came home and called my own son -- just to hear his voice (even if it was a voicemail greeting).
I was reminded of a song I recently heard Dave Irish sing in concert entitled Life is Fragile. Dealing with his own personal loss of a dear friend, Dave penned words that say it all. “On the canvas of an artist there’s an intricate design - depth of vision filled with color on display. Then a senseless hand of cruelty caused an angry crooked line, and the beauty is forever swept away.” His conclusion is that life is fragile – and that those we hold dear can leave us in a moment.
Predictably, the song encourages us to do what seems impossible: Live life to the fullest, count the stars, embrace life.
Lord, teach us to make the days count....... (Psalm 90).
(Photo by e3000, shared via Flickr).
