Life Is Unknowing

I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way, but I am absolutely in shock over the death of Heath Ledger. I've read numerous articles over the past couple days, some I believe more than others, but sadly the reality is that Ledger was a secret, broken man. Who knew? Yet another reminder (as if Britney's public dramas as of late haven't been enough) that this kind of glitzy lifestyle isn't all it's cracked up to be. Here is the latest article from the Associated Press: Police Sort Out Clues Into Ledger's Death .

I know this is real. The media as usual has been beating this horrible tragedy into the earth's soil, but for some reason I'm having trouble believing it. I see it, but I can't accept the truth. There is an eerie feeling in the air, similar to when Princess Diana passed away, like this wasn't supposed to happen. It was not part of the master plan for those who believe there is such a thing (which brings up a greater question regarding the active element of faith, but I won't get into that here).

I'd like to share an interesting bulletin written by musician Gavin Degraw in regards to Ledger's Death. It can be found here at Degraw's MySpace page. It sums up an important fact that many of us (especially young people) seem to brush under the rug and sometimes forget.

I have truly enjoyed the talent that Heath has brought to the world. Many times i have turned on the tv and seen him and thought, " I think i'd like to be that guy. He seems pretty cool...gets to make movies and has a good demeanor about him and such. That would be pretty alriight for a day or two i think." I've been to a few small events and get-togethers that Heath has been at and stood next to him a few times in social circles but never taken the time to get to know him; figuring that i didn't want to force an awkward conversation of it didn't happen naturally; figuring that maybe next time we are at the same place again i'll say hey and we'll grab a drink and discuss our many opinions on the world and its issues, as we are brothers in our pursuit of artistic satisfaction and our humanity. i guess what im trying to say, is that there is never a guarantee of a next time. And that is why life is so valuable; its immediacy is always a factor; and every moment matters. It's not because of my regret of not having talked with him, because I like to give people their space. It is because of my foolish assumption that i would have another opportunity to...seemed like a really good-natured person. My deepest regards go to his family for their loss.Journey well brother...-gavin

I can totally relate to what Degraw is saying. I experienced a similar situation when a friend of mine passed away; the young friend who I mentioned in my last entry. I had been procrastinating for weeks to do the silliest task - to pick up the phone and call him and as life would have it, I never got that chance. Like Degraw, I too assumed I would be able to call my friend later: the next day, the next week, the next month, the next YEAR. Whenever I wanted. I was wrong. I now realize that being able to talk to my friend was a privilege. These moments remind us to seize every opportunity because every opportunity, every chance, and every minute is a gift.