your worst day might be another's best

On Monday night I found out one of my good Friends Fiance was killed with his brother and dad flying their small plane in Oregon. Since then I can't stop thinking about my dear friend and the families whose lives will be forever changed. I am going to see my dad tomorrow in Seattle with my five year old and have been really excited to go, but the past few days when I find myself thinking and being excited about my trip, I will suddenly feel guilt. Guilt that I was happy for a moment and my Friend is sad... and going through probably the worst time in her life. I started to think about how life doesn't stand still, it just keeps going at the crazy fast pace that it does. My senior year in high school, a classmate was killed on his way to school. The principal came over the intercom about two minutes before 1st hour got over and reported the terrible news. His name was Amado Zaratae. He seemed like such a nice kid and in the seventh grade he had one of his Friends ask me if I would "go" with him. I said no, but that was just because we had never even spoken-a common thing to do among middle schoolers. Anyways the bell rang right after the Principal announced that Amado had been killed and I remember walking out into the hallway to go to my next class stunned by the news and heart broken for his family, but it seemed everyone else in the hall had not even received the announcement. People were laughing and carrying on as usual. It was a poignant moment in my life and I don't even know for sure what poignant means, but it seems like it would fit. I find myself feeling the same way for my poor friend and her devastating loss. The world just keeps on going when it seems it (I guess we) should all pause and have a moment of silence. My best day, or happiest day might be somebodies worst. My friend Tammy posted a great poem that I hope she doesn't mind if I share, but I just thought it was perfect.

For Whom the Bell Tolls


No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manner of thine own
or of thine Friends were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind,
Therefore, send not to know
for whom the bell tolls,
it tolls for thee.

John Donne