Death

Death never gets easier.  You would think as you grow up, it might get a little bit easier to handle, but it doesn't.  It seems like we are always surrounded by it.  While it may not be someone we know personally, it seems like the news is always reporting the death of a famous person or you know someone who knows someone who has passed away.
When I was sixteen, one of my friends mom passed away on new years day.  2 weeks later my best friend was killed in a car accident.  2 weeks later a relative passed away.  As a 16 years old, this was tough.  Actually it was HORRIBLE.  With God's help I made it through to the other side.  This was the only time I can remember having to attend 3 funerals in a matter of weeks, much less a year.
Scott's grandpas passed away about 6 months before we got married and my grandpa passed away 2 1/2 years after we got married.  Those were the only 2 deaths we had been through since we had been dating or married.  
Then in December Scott's great-aunt passed away.  She was just shy of 98 years old and this was the 1st major death in Scott's family since he and I had been married. 

About 3 1/2 weeks ago Scott's grandpa passed away.  Having to attend 2 funerals within just a few months for 2 people who were deeply loved was heartbreaking.  

Friday I found out a friend from college passed away.  While it is not someone I have seen or talked to in a while, it was someone who I would still run into from time to time.  He used to attend church at the same church I go to and he would play on the church's basketball team.  In college, I hung out a lot at the fraternity house he was a member of and he was even my date to our sorority pledge dance my sophomore year.

Alpha Gam Pledge Dance 2000

I don't know the details surrounding his death.  He was diabetic, but I have no idea if that played any role in whatever happened.

I know they are all in a better place now, completely healthy with healed bodies, but it's still hard and they will all be missed by many.