Reflections

Yesterday my good friends step father was killed in a car accident (For news story see: http://www.currentargus.com/ci_14516138 ). It's made me think about life and death and how life can flip upside down in just a moment. I've dealt with death before, but never as closely as a father, brother, or child passing away. I can't pretend to understand the pain it would cause to have my parents die, or one of my brothers be gone forever. Seeing death gives me a greater appreciation for life, I often forget just how fragile we are as humans. We make plans, we strive to complete our goals and we never realize how close we are every day to death. Some times it's a few inches, other times its a few seconds that separate life and death.
A poem that my grandpa had hanging in his office before he died, a poem that now hangs in my house that shapes my life is called "That man is a success." 

That Man is a Success
Who has lived well
laughed often and loved much;
Who has gained the respect
of intelligent men
and the love of children;

Who has filled his niche
and accomplished his task;

Who leaves the world better
than he found it,
whether by an improved poppy
or a perfect poem
or a rescued soul;

Who never lacked appreciation
of earth's beauty
or failed to express it;

Who looked for the best in others
and gave the best he had.