I awoke yesterday to learn some heartbreaking news about the untimely passing of an acquaintance from a previous time in my life. As I remember her, she was a whirling dervish, a force of nature, and ray of light that could illuminate any room with her toothy smile and tremendous laugh. And although it had been years since we last spoke, it’s hard to believe that someone so full of life and so full of joy could be gone.

When I mentioned the sad news to a few of the dear friends who now make up my present existence, it became apparent that we all inhabit an incredibly small, incredibly beautiful, and incredibly interconnected world. And, at some point and in some small way, we or someone we knew closely had been touched by this beautifully unique individual.

Life can be hard some times. Real hard. But ultimately, one of the things that makes life so beautiful, so rewarding, so worth living, are those encounters, the amazing stories, and, if we are truly lucky, the amazing friendships that may spring from them. 

Thank you for reminding me. May you rest in peace.