A tragedy...

It's very sad when you hear about a person dying. The recent Tsunami claimed many lives, and it is very sad; but they were people far away. Empty faces I never saw, or so I thought. Then I heard the news that one of ours was among the victims; an Atenean; a batchmate. That was closer to home; but I still didn't know the person. And then I received an email regarding services to be held at our school for her. And in the email was her picture. That picture changed everything. She wasn't just a name anymore. There was now a face to go with it.

I've seen her around. Sometimes I've wondered what her name was, as I do with every person I see. But I always tell myself that there would be time enough to learn of names and to meet new people. Apparently, it wasn't so. Today, I learned of her name - too late.

There are stories that tell of life's tenacity; human survival against unsurmountable odds. Spirit that will not fade. And then there are tragedies; of life lost so suddenly. An infinite future of possibilities snipped away in an instant. Life is so mysterious in these two aspects, when they are held side by side. One gives testament to Life's strength, and the other to it's fragility.

And this person's death is indeed a tragedy.

I've learned in high school a very important line from a book we read, "each man's life touches so many others." And now in college, I learned from my history teacher something quite similar, "every human life is infinitely valuable with infinite possibilities." And now that a life had been lost, a life that had certainly crossed mine, I wonder of possibilities that could have been. But there is just too much to limit with my words. Now, there is a feeling of loss for the possibilities that could have been. Now, a lot of things will never happen: I shall never get the chance to meet her, or talk to her, or even work with her in Celadon. She could have been a friend, and a lot of other things, for her friends and the world. But all these cannot happen anymore.

The truth is, there is nothing I can say here that would do her justice, for I never met her. I'm saddened by the loss of a possible friend, but I never knew her enough. What more of the ones that actually loved her, and cared for her? I cannot imagine the sense of loss they would be feeling now. But at least I share a little in their sorrow. That much I can offer. That is all I can offer.

Rest in peace Sharleen May Tan.