Far too young...

Today I received news from a high school friend that another classmate, Shari Epstein Luzzi, passed away yesterday. While details are somewhat sketchy, I understand that Shari had been ill for at least a year, and she leaves behind a husband and two young sons.

This is not the first high school classmate we've lost. One committed suicide while we were seniors in high school; we lost a few within the first few years after graduation to cancer, car accidents, and drug overdoses; one classmate was killed in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center; and at least two others passed away within the last few years. But each time we lose a classmate, we once again realize how fleetingly fast life moves.

There is never a good age at which to die. But age 42 seems far too young and so tragic, and I feel for her family, friends, and others affected by her loss.

We may be 42 and 43 now, but in our hearts and in our minds, we're still the big-haired high school kids rocking out to Bon Jovi's Never Say Goodbye at our senior prom, hanging out at the Manalapan Diner every weekend, and feeling invincible.

And in our imaginations, Shari will be forever young. Rest in peace.