It's difficult to deny how upsetting the death of actress Natasha Richardson has been. Richardson, who suffered a head trauma this week and died soon after, was only 45 years old. In today's world, doesn't 45 seem so young?
Whenever we hear about a tragedy involving a celebrity, I always wonder if we care more because the individual was famous. Certainly we tell ourselves that we would care as much about anyone, but replayed images of glamour on television are effective in convincing us that the death of someone famous somehow seems more significant than your average Joe Blow.
Let's take it for granted that we're communally sad not because she was a celebrity, but because the accident - the fall - sounds so innocent without a lot of information. One thing is certain, hearing this story made me pause to think about my loved ones. How many times per day do you hang up the phone after talking to your spouse, sure that you'll have a few more conversation before you see each other at home later? For those of you whose parents live far away, when was the last time you flew home to spend a little extra time with them?
It is upsetting to think that someone else's tragedy serves to remind the rest of us of a terribly important lesson - live each day as if it's the last and never take your loved ones for granted. For the family of Natasha Richardson, they have only her memory and spirit. For those of you whose loved ones remain in our physical presence, you have the gift of reminding them how grateful you are to have them in your life each and every day.
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