“What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?” — George Eliot

I learned yesterday that an on-line friend had passed away unexpectedly. I’d only had the chance to meet him once, several years ago, but he was as lovely in person as he was in his posts and emails. When discussions grew heated in a group, he would be a voice of calm reason, but not in a way that put anyone down and that allowed the person you disagreed with might have a valid opinion as well. Our interest had somewhat diverged over the years and we didn’t speak as often on-line as we used to, but to know that this kind and considerate person was no longer with us has left a bit of a hole. I was also surprised to learn he was younger than me by a number of years, most definitely a case of gone too soon.

Writing is a very solitary occupation in many ways, but what should inspire and move us is the world we live in and the people within that world. NaNoWriMo is about not waiting until tomorrow, but telling your story now. Life is brief and we all have regrets, but don’t let having your dreams slip away without at least trying be one of them. Be kind to one another as well; respect and consideration do much to make the world around us brighter.