Pride vs. Reality: Say Hello Before It's Goodbye

The date is Jan. 22, 2014, and as I write this, my community is mourning. An airman, a beloved young man, a friend of mine passed away this morning.

My biggest fear in life is suddenly never having another chance to tell someone how I feel about them, or them to me.

Speaking as a young man, we are taught that we should hide our emotions. Or even opening up and exposing yourself to the chance of rejection, is something you should avoid. I have mastered both of these. But when something happens like today, it hurts more than I imagine showing emotion or rejection ever could.

Look out in front of you, how many people deserve to know how you feel about them, and don't? Why don't they? Understandably, it could be intimidating, embarrassing to tell someone how much they mean to you. But you can never take back the words you never said.

Regardless of your religion, or if you're even religious, nobody knows what happens when you die. Growing up in a Christian family, I always found comfort in believing that you would one day get to see your loved ones again when they pass away.When I got a little older, I opened my mind to other views of thinking, and I started to form my own opinions. I've come to grips with the idea that the last time I saw some people, could in fact be the last time I saw them.

Nothing is promised.

"See ya later", is a gamble.

Everybody believes they'll live forever. Therefore, it's easier to tell yourself that you'll do something next time. I don't believe our society is as cold as it is depicted to be. But instead we are the byproduct of being told that, a broken heart is something you should never experience if you can help it, rejection should be avoided, and that opening yourself up to people is opening the door for both of those. Imagine a world where nobody was afraid to express their love for others. Or willing to forgive others before it was too late. Do you think we'd handle death a little better?

I know, that sounds crazy. I should keep that to myself.