Sudden loss, the kind that comes like a thief in the night and steals what is most precious to you, is life altering. I don't think that we as humans are ever fully ready to let go of someone but losing them in a brief second without any warning seems to hurt the most. It doesn't allow us to say goodbye. It doesn't allow us to have the conversations that provide comfort for both people. It does not allow us proper closure. We know there is a purpose to everything. We know that God has a plan in all of this tragic loss. It allows us to process but doesn't make it easy. We should grieve and that includes crying and maybe even wailing. But we must also celebrate that person's life because they were a child of God. Every life is important because our Creator gives it. I am reminded by the beautiful prayer that gives us perspective on living a full life but remembering that the ultimate goal is to live eternally with God in Heaven. Lord, teach me not to hold on to life too tightly. Teach me to take it as a gift. To enjoy it, to cherish it while I have it, but to let go gracefully and thankfully when the time comes. The gift is great but the Giver is greater still. You are the Giver and in You is a life that never ends. Amen. God bless the souls of Tim and Madonna Gautreau who tragically lost there lives yesterday.