The question of the day. In fact, when you’re the compliance officer, the question of every day. At least that’s the way it use to be…

Today it seems to be my question of the day about death and dying. Yes, a specific death, that of a friend’s son, sparked this thought but it’s a thought that is much on my mind these days. These times we live in.

You’re right, the concentration and speed of news today emphasizes events out of proportion to their frequency and numbers. But that doesn’t shouldn’t lessen the grief we feel when a life is lost. And the cause doesn’t lessen the pain. Empathy doesn’t make it any less real, shocking, sad.

I am of the generation that can expect to soon deal with death. The passing of parents, aunts, and uncles. Even so, those are not without grief and pain. Regardless of how we console ourselves, each other, that their suffering has ended, the suffering passes to us. Those who have lost a parent out of time can tell you that the years don’t lessen the times we think, ‘What would dad, or mom, or uncle Carl, think about…’ and miss that portion of soul we lost.

So, today I mourn a son’s passing. Not one of my own but a friend’s. Not one I’d met or knew personally. But one more whose passing has caused a trembling within the force.