Making Sense of the Twenty-Somethings: The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time. ~Mark Twain

The news of a young person dieing is never the type of news you want. Hearing the passing of anyone is difficult, however to know a life is ending that has barley begun is especially heart breaking. It makes our own death seem much more inevitable. My heart is aching even more so today because the news I received just days ago was that this young life taken was a friend of mine. He was just 28 years old.

Robert Cameron III, Bob to me, was someone I always thought fondly of and considered a dear old friend. Friends since I was 12 and he was 13, I was always greeted with an enormous hug. I remember telling Bob specifically one day as we stood in the hallway of our overcrowded High School, me in my cheerleading uniform and him wearing sneakers, jeans, a t-shirt and hat (as usual) that he was my favorite hugger. He was the perfect height and our arms wrapped around one another's bodies as if filling a puzzle. We had a friend take a picture of us hugging right then. He was warm, kind, and someone I honestly cared for. Had I known I'd lose him 10 years later I would have kept better track of that photo. Right now I'm trying to figure out where it is...maybe in a box at my Mom's with all my other High School memories? I'm beating myself up now. A personality like Bob's can't be described by memories in a box. He's far too special.

Bob and I spent many days after school driving around with my sister and our friends, doing what kids do. My mom always welcomed him into our home. He was a nice kid with a vibrant sense of humor. Personally I think she was especially fond of him because of his red hair, being a natural red head herself.

To be clear, everyone loved Bob. The fact of the matter was that if you knew him, you loved him. Teachers, friends, parents...He was just that kind of person.

After moving away from our hometown in 2007 I hadn't had much contact with Bob other than facebook. The last time I spent significant time with him was New Years Eve in 2005 or 2006 when a large group of us rang in the New Year at his parents house in Chalfont, PA. It saddens me that I let him slip away.

Even now, going back home, so out of touch with everyone I knew growing up, I know that if I saw him I'd be greeted with "Byelich!" (Though my last name is now Stewart), and it'd quickly be followed by that warm familiar hug. When visiting home, if I was lucky enough to bump into him, this greeting was pretty much always the same. He'd talk to me like we hadn't skipped a beat. His friendship was consistent, unwavering, true, and long.

I've lost a lot of friends over the years, each one far to early and time and time again we say it's unfair: John Truman, Tristan Dailey, Brain Dostal, Bryan "Hollywood" Yeshion, Kelly Riegel, Justin Decker, Sean Stuter and so many others.

Remembering these people, along with others the world has lost, reminds me to live each day as if it may be my last. To tell people I love them, enjoy the time we have, take risks, have fun, laugh loudly, love whole-heartedly, be kind, live with purpose and most importantly be happy.

Although I'm not exactly sure what I believe...your soul may be recycled or maybe you've reached your final destination. I do know that you made an impact on this world, possibly more than you'll ever know, and are truly missed. My heart goes out to your families and loved ones.