Saturday, November 8, 2008
'Live fast, die young'
Just yesterday, I received news of a friend's passing. The two of us were quite close, 4 years back, and the last time we've been together was 2 years ago. Obviously, it came as a surprise to me but I sorta had the feeling it was something bad just moments before the Laughing Monster popped the news to me. This was how it went:
LM: Do you know 'said guy'?
ME: Yeah. (Thinks in mind, 'Why? He dead?')
LM: He's contracted throat cancer.
ME: (Thinks in mind, 'And I thought he's-)
LM: And he's gone.
ME: What!? OMG! For real!?
LM: Yeah.
ME: Wow...really? That's terrible.
LM: Why would I lie to you?
ME: No, that's just me trying to wrap my mind around it.
(few seconds later)
ME: OMG! For real!?
I kinda had the idea my reaction was a tad too over the edge but I just couldn't digest the information. It came as a jab from the shadows, reminiscent of flipping through the papers until you find a familiar face printed under the obituaries. In other words, to know someone your age lying in the earth while you're still alive and kicking; it's a creepy sensation. It felt like a fragment of our generation broke away and was left behind. This brings up the saying, 'if life gives you lemons, make lemonade.' In this case, 'if you're still alive, stop whining.'
Well, what can I say? Death is inevitable, though this came a bit early. We're all born to die another day. Besides, anything can happen anytime, anywhere and in all sorts of manners. Good, bad, desirable, undesirable; it just happens. Since we aren't able to foresee events like these, we can only brace ourselves for such rocky landings and just be thankful for the times we had.
On a side note, this incident reminded me of lyrics from "Gone So Young" by Amber Pacific. Here's an excerpt of it or, at least, of what makes sense:
'I wasn't prepared for what's to come
A life made of memories gone so young
I never thought that this could go
And take me away from all I know
And leave me to think I'm on my own
But your love will take me, you were the one...
...Who sat through nights
You held me tight
And made sure I'm okay
And I thank you for the love you gave to me'
Last Updated @ 4:18 AM
Signed: Whoever was here...
