just when you think...

you're facing aging and mortality with grace and maturity, you get this.

Zerr, Debbie R. age 35, of Burnsville. "Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away." Survived by husband, David; children, Chelsea and Carson

it was less than 2 weeks ago that abby came home and said that (a classmate we've known since preschool) chelsea's mom had cancer. i saw dave the next week when we were both chaperones for a school field trip. we spoke and he said that debbie had developed jaundice and after seeing the doctor was diagnosed with cancer in her abdomen.

maybe i misunderstood or maybe all of us were in a bit of denial, but i don't believe anyone knew that debbie's time was going to be so awfully short. i'm just overwhelmed with sadness at the thought of the zerr family and the loss of their mom and wife.

debbie was one of the sweetest and most genuinely friendly people i've ever met. she was gifted in that she always shone a light to everyone she met. life is just too short. always.

if i ever get whiny about aging again, i hope to god i remember that getting to age at all is precious. too many people don't. rest in peace steve johnson, todd west, chuck call, john trinco, and debbie. eternal rest grant unto them o lord, and may the perpetual lights shine upon them. may their souls and all the souls of the departed, through the mercy of god, rest in peace. amen.