Fragile and Fleeting

So I had a different post planned for today, about how I can't wait for my surgery to be over, how I probably won't blog next week because of it, and I was going to share some pictures I took practicing with my new camera. But then last night I got a phone call from my dad; my second cousin, a police officer in New Jersey, was killed in the line of duty yesterday. He was operating radar when a tractor-trailer veered off the road and rear-ended his police car.

I saw this story earlier in the day yesterday, a few Facebook friends had shared it. I didn't realize who it was when I read the story, but I did what I always do when I hear of or read an article about a person who has passed away, whether I know them or not; I said a prayer, asking God to take him to Heaven and to help his family get through this hard time. I cried when my dad told me what happened, because although I only maybe met him once as a child, a Marine Corp veteran, a 5 year police veteran, someone's son, is gone, just like that. I can't even imagine the pain those close to him are feeling. The Malaysia Airlines disaster is also so heart-wrenching, and I hope all of those people are at peace as well. It's just not fair.

Life is fragile and fleeting, and I know I take mine for granted. I cry about things that don't really matter, and wish my weekdays away. There are changes I need to make in my life, and it's time I start. Rest in Peace, Chris, and all those who died yesterday in the awful plane crash.  "Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand."