A reflection of the lives lost

Monday morning I turned my television on CNN to see the newscasters in New York City reflecting upon the horrific events of 9/11. As I continued to watch I saw the enormous space where the World Trade Centers used to be, and reality sunk in. But not the reality of the World Trade Centers being absent, it was the reality of all the lives lost.
Throughout the course of the day reflections of my own consumed my mind, but not about 9/11, in reference to the World Trade Centers. On the day of September 11, 2001, I was a junior in high school. On that day it seemed as if the whole world was on fire. I remember walking home, underneath the crimson sun and smoking sky, thinking about all the lives lost.
I came home to find my mom in the living room crying her eyes out;I thought that it was because of the events that happened with the World Trade Centers. Later, I discovered that it was because she had found out that her baby brother had been shot in the head by the police in Shreveport…life was lost.
Last August, Hurricane Katrina not only flooded the New Orleans and parts of Mississippi, she flooded our hearts and drowned our souls…lives were lost.
I used to be able to only imagine how terrible the apprehension of losing someone close to my heart would be, until my best friend of twelve years was brutally raped and murdered in May…life lost.
Saturday evening, just thirty minutes into the Southern vs. Mississippi Valley football game, right outside the university, gunshots were fired and Freddie Jackson, 59, of Port Allen was shot by a security guard and later on that evening he died…life lost.
Each and everyday, life and lives are lost. They can be taken in the blink of eye. Most people do not realize this until it is too late. Some people never realize it at all.
Life is a precious gift from God that should be cherished. However, each tomorrow is only promised for few, and you never know if tomorrow will be there for you.
That’s why I encourage everyone to love each and everyday. Instead of focusing on the negativity in your life, set your eyes upon the beauty that life has to offer.
Instead of arguing and fighting with one another, make an effort to make peace.
When you have sex don’t just do it to get something for you out of it, make sure that your partner is satisfied as well. Make love for goodness sake, like it is the last time that you and your partner’s bodies will intertwine.
And hold on for dear life to the one you love, and say, “I love you” each day, and pray for your enemies because you never know when their life or yours could be lost.
-L.E.D. (Love Each Day)