Earlier this week a cold reminder of life’s uncertainty came across for many of us as a high school classmate passed away. I hardly knew Laurie Johnson, but I know many in the community did. We live in a funny time as social networking combines with small town relationships to create a constant reunion of sorts. For those of a certain age (or anyone even close to my age), the constant reminder of life’s fragileness is brought to our attention monthly, if not weekly. And for whatever reason Laurie’s passing seems to have hit a tipping point in the category of death, especially those “kids” who just happen to be of “a certain age.”
In recent weeks I’ve touched base with classmates to recant stories of our childhood, or to hear about recent medical issues, or even those who are starting over again in marriage or relationships. In a way, the conversations have not changed all that much, but the fragileness and unforgiving nature of our time certainly has. Class time has been replaced with work and family time. Meetings at school now involve your kids, not you. And wins and losses usually involve the balancing of a check book or some other financial based equation.
But when death hits one of our own, as in a person who was a part of one of the first chapters of your life, it’s different. Not necessarily in a tragic sense, but as a cold reminder that we are no longer playing kickball or worrying about who to take to the prom. I guess it comes when we become those of a “certain age.” It still sucks, and it makes me wish I had a chance to know Laurie just a bit better. We all say that, but we never do. Just a reminder for next time…
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