RIP Zak Dardas

It has been a while since anyone we knew passed away. On the 18th of May, a young man named Zakaria Dardas, was laid to rest. It is heartbreaking, painful both physically and mentally, and just plain old sad. He passed on his 18th birthday, beautiful and young.

I personally cannot imagine the pain his family must have felt. I cried at their sorrow. I discovered that worse than feeling pain yourself, is feeling pain for not being able to help those who are so obviously suffering. I sat in front of his mother speechless. I could not say anything that could comfort her, so I kept my mouth shut.

When we see death, we tend to remember our own mortality and the mortality of those around us. I guess in some ways, I am grateful that a reminder such as this brings us closer to those we love. I have noticed that I am more patient with the kids and Osama, willing to forgive when someone hurts me, and asking honestly and openly for the forgiveness and love of those around me.

I know that it shouldn't be that way. I understand that I should value each and everyday but life does that sometimes. We rush through, forgetful of what it is we are grateful for, and act like each day, month, and year are just a part of our big picture when in truth, we don't know just how big the picture is.

So with all the sadness of this sudden event, I am glad it has given me the opportunity to tell my family just how much it is that I love them. Even if just for a few brief days or months, I hope the effect lasts......because sooner or later we will have moved on, life sweeping us along, and we go back to the same old habits until there is another reminder and we are once more drawn together.

RIP Zak Dardas....May God have mercy on your soul!