Layla

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF LAYLA NORTHWOOD The Grim Reaper wins again. I guess that describes the first thought that flew through my head.

You know, this column was to mark a start for me; this is the first one for TWO publications- Farpoint's Intraship Communications, and PYPS' Synopsis. It was also to mark an end for me, for this is my last article written from home; from here on in, I take on a rather interesting challenge known as university- far away from the familiar things that have always given me strength in life.

Thus, it seems rather ironic that this column should be about what we must all eventually face. Death. In this case, the untimely passing of the sister of a friend; full of hope, a bright future. For whatever reasons that she has left us; whether it be God or Allah or Buddah or whatever; the cosmic bookkeeping that runs the Universe is way beyond anybody's understanding.

All I know is what I felt; and it seemed as if another piece of my heart had been chipped away, like all the other holes, scrapes, and bruises. A hammerblow. The idea that somebody who I had talked with and traded jokes with was no longer with us; it's something that takes getting used to.

There's more. A whole lot more. But all of it bounces off the wall of reality- a wall solid and strong, a wall we must all deal with. Our own mortality.

Today, I had mortality thrown in my face, just as visciously as if I was slapped, or if somebody put a hot iron to my eyes. A rude awakening; it's something that we don't want to be reminded of. But we are; usually in horrific ways like this.

And all we can do is cry, pick up the pieces, and go on. Learning to deal with death is as important as learning to deal with life, isn't it? Harsh lessons for a harsh reality.

You know, for the last four hours, all that has been running through my head is Death. The sorrow, the pain. Every encounter I've had, or a friend of mine has had.

And, in my eyes, the face of Death grows uglier and more repugnant with every passing day; as I fight, we all fight a war where there is no victory.

The only victory in this war is in having the courage to fight.

And I can only hope that this has done a little in championing life, fighting death, and preserving the memory of what has to be one of the shortest and sweetest parts in the Sound of Music:

"She's charming, Georg..."

My most heartfelt condolences to the Northwood family.