Though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of

Death.

More than any year before, 2011 has made me realize how truly short life is.

In January, my great aunt Vie, whom I had often received cards from, but never knew, came to visit my family.  We went to the zoo, to Olive Garden, to church with her.  And a few months later, just like that, she had a heart attack and passed away.  I did not think when I kissed her good-bye that I would never see her again or never again receive a beautiful card in the mail from her.  But just like that, she's gone.

Last year when I was recovering from being sick with pneumonia, I ran into one of my dad's friends from Bible Study at my church.  He asked me how I was feeling and told me he knew my dad.  I asked him his name because I thought I had never met him before.  When he replied, I realized I did know him; he was my dad's close friend who had been battling lung cancer for the past few years.  I hadn't even recognized him.  He had such faith.  His cancer escalated in the spring when he lost the battle against it.  He wanted to become a pastor of a satallite church but he never got the chance.  He left behind a family with a hole in it.  But now he's home.

I could tell you about the girl in my grade last year who's mom took her own life.  Then there was the girl who graduated two years before me, Saludatorian of her class, and passed away in her sleep while at college.  Now I hear about 5 deaths in the past three days:  One is a newly-wed young man who graduated a few years before me.  Another was a young woman on my friend's college dance team.  And then one of my online classmates lost three close friends (all 16 or younger) in a car accident. 

God, I believe these people are home, but why so soon?  My heart is overwhelmed. Please help me to make the most of each moment I have.  Because it could be over so quickly.