In Memoriam

As the end of the year approaches, it is common for people to reflect on those that have passed away or who have died during the year.  No matter if their deaths were due to accident or tragedy, cancer or long illness, or if they simply died of old age or "normal causes", their lives are remembered briefly with the help of a few pictures or video clips and an appropriate soundtrack in the background.  These memorial videos are typically put out by the major news media outlets and are shared by many as we fondly look through the list of well known movie stars, actors, actresses, musicians, athletes, politicians, and other celebrities of note.  Many times, one might be surprised to see a name on the list that they didn't realize has passed away that year, or perhaps had simply forgotten about already.

While it is important to remember the lives of the "important" people, those who changed the world in some way through their artistic, literary, or athletic accomplishments, one must not forget about all the other people that have died in the past year.  The common folk.  Regular people.  Mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, husbands and wives of all the rest of us.  Their lives were important too.  Even though they were not well known or a celebrity, they were an important part of the lives of the families they left behind.  The memoriam of these people will not be shown on TV or shared on social media, their memoriam will take place every time a friend or family member gets together for a family gathering or social event during the holidays or at birthday parties or weddings in the future.  Stories will be shared and jokes will be told of the dear loved ones that we remember from the past, however recent or distant in our memories.  People that mattered to us because they shaped our lives in some way and changed us.  We are who we are today, partly because of them.  We still miss them and remember them and thank them for touching our lives.  The world is a better place because of them too!