Dust in the Wind
A gentle reminder
Last week, a colleague at work died. To put this in perspective, he was a 20-year-old intern, still in college with what I assumed was a bright future and long life ahead of him. In every interaction we had, he was enthusiastic, outgoing, smart and self-effacing. He didn’t take himself too seriously and brought a levity to an office — and an industry — that often does take itself too seriously.
Because I am a middle-aged woman with a young adult daughter, I cannot help but feel a certain maternal protectiveness toward these young professionals I encounter in the workplace. I look at them and see all the potential, the earnestness, the hopefulness about the future that so many people my own age have lost to the disappointments of life. They inspire me, and in turn, I hope I give them some added perspective on life.
When I heard of this young man’s passing, it felt like a punch to the gut. I do not know the details, but in the past couple of months, I know he had been having a hard time. I cannot imagine the pain his parents and family are going through right now. My heart aches for their loss.
I have always been acutely aware of death and of my own mortality. I grew up in the country and spent endless hours wandering around in nature. When you are quiet and observant, you see death taking place all around you. You see…
