A Full Circle

A recent week reminded me of the full circle of my life. It included work and play, meals alone, meals with friends, drinks alone, and drinks with friends. It included a gay wedding and a straight wedding. It had travel, cheer stuff, and website stuff. It also involved a pregnant lady, a child’s death and an adult’s death. All these things, which are part of life in general or my life, happening in such a short period of time takes a toll on the mind:

• A friend was out of town attending the wedding of a former teammate when he found out another teammate’s dad passed.
• I visited a friend who will be having her first child in a couple months.
• I judged my first cheerleading competition of the 2016-17 season.
• A former athlete, and daughter of a good friend and colleague, got married.
• Several friends attended the wedding of a colleague and his long term boyfriend, something not possible in all parts of our country just a few years ago.
• A former athlete was shot and killed at the age of 15.
• I attended a cheerleading practice.

Of all these events the one I keep coming back to is the death of a 15 year old. Despite scanning through pictures of the new bride, husband, husband, and husband and wanting to appreciate their happiness, thinking about meals and drinks with friends and reminiscing about the friendships forged over years, or enjoying the sports and hobbies that I’ve turned into a career, I keep coming back a young lady no longer with us.

I know this is all part of life, the circle of life, and my life, but it doesn’t make it suck any less.