Parents shouldn't have to bury or say goodbye to a child. This seems to be a fundamental Truth in Life... it seems out of sync, out of the rhythm of Life, off of the Wheel, unnatural.
Dear friends of mine have had to do this. While I was away on my adventure at Space Camp, Charles and Lara's 16 year old daughter was involved in a horrendous car accident. It was a one car accident, and Rianna and the other boy who was killed weren't wearing their seatbelts.
I remember being 16. I thought I was 10 foot tall, frigging bulletproof, and a bad-ass --- at least in my mind! Luckily for me though I realized my mortality. I lost several friends along the road of high-school, and I had to face death sooner than many ever have to. But I do remember being young, and carefree, and stupid.... doing oh my Gods, stupid, stupid things. I guess it wasn't meant for me to die that young. I was meant for whatever reason to continue onward.
Rianna -- for whatever reason, fate, the Gods, choice, sheer accident -- died her physical death in that car crash last Thursday. Today I spent hours with many others in our community, coming together in our grief, and in our love and support of her family -- and also to celebrate her life.
I didn't really know Rianna, having only met her once. Her parents though are people who I can say volumes about. They are shining Lights to everyone around them: beautiful, loving, caring, wise, happy, cheerful, good friends, good people, loving parents. And I can only imagine from all that I heard and witnessed today that Rianna was a beautiful reflection and extension of her parents. It was obvious how many people she had already touched in a short 16 years -- I've never seen that many people at a memorial.
Everyone, and especially you young folks please, wear your seatbelts. Remember to love your parents, and yourself -- be a good friend to others -- live fully, honestly, and without regret -- dream big dreams and make them happen -- laugh often, hard, till tears roll down your cheeks -- and truly enjoy today as if it was your last.
