seasons

Ecclesiastes 3:1-7 (New International Version)
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,


I am reminded of this today as i got the news yesterday that a high school classmate passed away. His death was unexpected, his life taken at a young age of 31 by a drunk driver (at 2 pm.....really? who is drunk at 2 pm!). This classmate and i were not close....he was sort of a loner and well, i had other things to deal with (pregnancy...and then baby..and not even 18 yet). But he was there, he was one of us. He took the same tests i did, shared the same experiences, and i am sure enjoyed his high school days like i did (umm....).
I have been told by MULTIPLE classmates that there might be a "curse of the Dans." I don't believe in curses....just coincidence. Both high school classmates i have lost have been named Dan. And i am not even going to talk about Gibby, the guy who i use to call "brother." The guy who was in love with M.E. The guy whose parents i loved like my own. I miss him. And often wonder what he would be doing now if he hadn't been so sick.

This tragity experienced by our TCS community reminds us to hug our loved ones a little longer, to call a friend who you haven't spoken to in a while just to catch up, and to count your blessings. For everything there is a season.....