The Game of Life

Yesterday I had the unfortunate experience of learning of a death to a brother of a close friend of mine.  He was only 22 years old.  Even though I wasn't extremely close to him, it was still heartbreaking to me for my friend and the family I had grown close with.

Later in the day, one of my friends tweeted a picture of this..

"Longest game ever.. #life"

She tweeted saying, "Longest game ever.. #life."  However, I read in a different way.  Yes, I have learned after babysitting many children that this board game is a long game, but the real game of life is not long enough for anyone really. For some people this "game of life" that we live everyday, is far too short.  Many people say life and its contents are not fair, and sometimes it truly is not.  I believe there is a reason why these tragic things happen though, and it's for people to realize to live everyday to the best of their ability and not take advantage of anything.  We need to remember to be happy and do what makes us happy.  It won't benefit us to do only what makes others happy to make ourselves miserable because we cannot take any day back.  I believe that everything happens for a reason and these moments happen to every one of us every single day, whether it's good or bad.

The Media has a huge impact on lives and deaths today too.  News travels fast through Facebook and Twitter when the horrible news of a loved one has died, and it has good benefits and bad.  It gives people the ability to say goodbye one last time or see the stories that friends and families have of that person.  However, it also doesn't give the family much privacy from all the contact they are receiving about it.  It is so interesting to see how in today's world of modern technology one can see the entire life span of certain individuals, when in the past you could know nothing about the person unless you were face to face having a conversation with them.  How will it be in another 20 years?

Coincidence that this all hit me in the same day?  I'm not quite sure, but it's these unfortunate events of young deaths that remind me everyday to not take advantage of any day, person, or experience because you just never know when the tragic event could happen to yourself.