.....

The finite nature of our time here on earth is a topic for many a great song, movie or book, but it is not, for obvious reasons, a topic that we spend much thought reflecting on. To reflect on it constantly would likely send any sane person to the edge of darkness and depression. Last night it was a theme that intruded on my life abruptly.

A young guy, a few years older than me, who played on my soccer teams often over the past few years, died. The how of it is unimportant, but needless to say his time on this planet came to an end much, much earlier than it should have. He leaves behind a group of grieving family and friends that are now forced to deal the gut-wrenching unfairness of it all. He was truly a great guy and though I will not endlessly extol his virtues in this forum, I will say that he was type who made a lasting impression just by being nice, and that is a rarity.

It's a wake-up call of the worst kind. We are mortal - our time on this earth is limited, and so is that of the people we love most. And while it's not the best idea to think endlessly of our mortality, it really does serve to focus your priorities once in a while.

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R.I.P. J.V.