“The fear of death follows from the fear of life, a man who lives fully is prepared to die at anytime.”
-Mark twain

Death is inescapable but also unexplainable. Death is another thing that is out of the grasp of humanity, and controlled completely by nature. Many people fear death and wonder if there is an afterlife, but I don’t believe in one. The only afterlife there is, is the legacy you leave behind, the memories people hold of you.

On January 11th, 2015 a local man lost his life in a car accident caused by his own reckless driving. I witnessed a man lose his life in seconds as his car flipped and rolled on the side of the 10 freeway. I immediately stopped to call the police and afterwards I called my job telling them I would be late to work. I got out the car and saw the man’s body hanging out of his vehicle which was flipped over and completely destroyed. I didn’t flinch at the lifeless body; it didn’t bother me. I saw and knew that he was gone, that his run was over. The police eventually arrived and took steps to get my accounting of what I saw.

I drove off and immediately realized how fragile life is. We hold on to it as long as we can, yet it can be ripped out of our hands at any moment. If you’re strong enough, the end of your course will be gentle and sound. No one realizes what we hold, it is something very precious. We get to control our life, change things and head in the direction we choose. Free will is what we’re given and mistakes will be made. Enjoy that you’re still allowed to make these mistakes because your life can end at any moment.