Why do People Die?
By Keith Zimmer

 The title of this commentary sums up the whole subject matter - I ask again - why do people die? Now, don't get it mixed up. I don't mean why do 90-year-old people die. That answer is simple - because they are old, they lived a full life, and now it's their time to go. 

 What I mean by this is why do babies die just after birth? Why do kids die at the age of 12 from car accidents? Why do kids die at the age of 13 from cancer? Why do kids kill themselves at the age of 15? 

 The reason I am so specific with the ages is because I know people, families, that have seen their children and friends die this young. My questions is why are some people born to die so young? Why are people born to die without living full lives? Without having a career? Without having a family? 

 I guess I will never understand why people are put on this earth to die young. I just don't see the point. One thing I know, is that I have always been scared of dying young. In general, I am scared of death. But, even more so, I am scared of dying without living everything that a person should experience in life. 

 In seeing all of this "early" death, I realize that life as I know it could end at any moment. Death is the one thing that no one can escape. This experience has given me the opportunity to be grateful for what I have and who I love. I have learned the hard lesson that life could end in the blink of an eye - my question is, have you?

  If you have any questions or comments about this article, contact me at keithzimmer@yahoo.com.