Kudos

This was originally going to be a post about serving jury duty yesterday, but I woke up to a reminder that life is too short to spend it complaining about trivial matters.

The first thing I do after I leave the house every morning and get on the bus is look at my news feed on facebook. It's sad, but it's a pretty quick way for me to get updates on what's happened overnight, both in Boston and in my hometown. Sometimes that's the only way I find out someone is getting married or having a baby. Sadly, it can also be the way I find out about someone's heartache and loss.

A friend of mine from North Carolina lost her sister in a car accident last night. While learning about it was heartbreaking, what I saw on my news feed was an outpouring of support and condolences from people in my hometown, many of whom didn't even know the girl. That's the thing about a small town; in between all of the people who can't find anything better to do than spread rumors and those who couldn't care less about anyone else are those who come together for someone, or many people, in need. Sometimes these types of situations bring together people from all of those groups. People you wouldn't expect to care, or offer help, come through.

Death, especially so unexpectedly and in someone so young, seems impossible to deal with it when you're right in the thick of it. I can't even begin to imagine what this family is going through or how it is they'll manage to move forward, but I know they will. At the end of the day, no matter what you believe happens to people once they pass, the living have to move forward. That's much easier accomplished with the support of family, friends, and the community.

Kudos to those in the community who are coming together to help this family through what promises to be a very difficult time. You're all in my thoughts.