A Tribute

What do you do when someone close to you passes away? I am surely not the right person to answer this question. A few hours ago, someone close to me left this world. I am at a loss, and without knowing how I should act, I feel the need to say a few words.

He was a great person, fun loving and friendly. He never smoked, never took drugs, never had a problem with alcohol. He always stayed active, playing badminton, he ate well, and did not have any health problems. He was as healthy as healthy can be.

Tonight, this man left this world. He was smiling and talking happily. And then, with no warning, he keeled over. Breathing uneasily, taking deep breaths between long pauses, he eventually stopped breathing. We tried CPR until the paramedics arrived, then they took over. He was taken to the hospital. They tried to resuscitate him, but after half an hour, all was lost. No one knows why his heart stopped beating. We'll just have to wait for the postmortem.

What do you do when you have lost someone important? How should you feel when you were there watching it happen? I don't know. I'm trying to find an answer, but I'm drawing blanks.

Why? Why him? Why now? At the age of 23, he will be 24 on Sunday. It was not his time. If God threw a lightning bolt, why did it have to strike him? Why not me? This is how I feel. I feel useless. I should be crying, but I can't. I feel it inside, but I cannot express it. What is wrong with me?

There is nothing I can do now. I can only pray that his soul rests in peace.

Godspeed, my friend, may you enjoy eternal life in paradise.