A Good Man Died Today.

 

I honestly have a hard time believing this is true. It does not seem real.

I did not know Zach Booher very well. In fact, my first thought of Zach in high school was that he was a stoner. I don't think he was (although he was in a band :P).

Zach was one of those people who was on the periphery of my vision. I saw his posts on Facebook, kept up with some of the movements of his life (breakups, bands, random stati). But... I Knew Zach. I went to high school with the guy. I counted him as someone that I would want to catch up with if I ever spoke with him.

I realize, of course, that I am not the first to experience death in this way. And I honestly cannot fathom what his family is going through. This is not even the first time I have lost someone I knew. But it feels different.

From what I understand, Zach tried to bring joy into people's lives. He tried to be a good friend and be there for others. It is really very touching to think that one person can have an effect on so many people (the outpouring of grief for this man is overwhelming... it makes you feel as though you knew him for years). And it... really gets me thinking about all that will happen when I die. Oh, I know, it's Psych 101 stuff to internalize events and make it feel as though it happened to you. But... What if I did get in a car wreck tomorrow? What if life was gone, in the blink of an eye, with no preparation. In all the hundreds of millions of words that have been written on the subject in the vast expanse of human history, I do not think anything can really prepare you for such an event. It's like witnessing a lightning strike... Only in reverse. Suddenly, a gleaming, shimmering, brilliant light is blinked out of existence. And afterwards there is nothing left but the scorch marks on the souls of the people left behind.

I mourn for Zach's loss. I hope his love for music and for life spreads to other people. I hope his family's pain eases after a while. But most of all... I hope I never forget to live life to its fullest. I don't need Zach's death to remind me to do so. But it sure is eye opening.

Rest In Peace, Zach. You will be missed.