Death is a natural part of life, but it is still shocking, and unsettling when it creeps up on you.
A student at my school died recently.
He was walking home late one night when he apparently was attacked by four guys. He was in critical condition, and stayed in the hospital for several days. He died last night.
I didn't know him. Not even by face.
But I was still shocked. Even with the recent killings at Virginia Tech, I never thought that that kind of violence could happen here. My school is in a quiet part of Northern NH. I leave my doors unlocked 24/7. Frequently I've lost something somewhere on campus, only to return hours later and find it untouched.
But, a student was violently killed on this campus.
Were the guys looking for a fight? Were they drunk? Was it because he was black? Did they have some kind of grudge against him?
I don't know. I don't think I will ever know.
But I found myself searching for his Facebook page. He was right there, smiling as if nothing happened. New pictures were recently tagged to his profile. You wouldn't know anything happened, unless you looked at his Wall.
Dozens of his friends have posted their farewells. Some happily recalling highlights from their friendship, others just saying RIP.
I can't stop reading.