By now the news is no longer surprising that the science fiction universe lost a fine young man, Anton Yelchin. He’s better known for many of us Star Trek fans as the new Pavel Chekov from the rebooted Star Trek movies. His loss is so random and so tragic. To see a young life, full of possibility and opportunity lost, is tragic.

Celebrate Anton’s life and successes and remember his works. Empathize with this family and friends at the loss of a young man. Take the time to not just mourn the loss of Anton, but to mourn the loss of all those who pass on long before their time. Every day on the news, we see the random acts of violence or the loss of life from an accident. Every loss of life is felt acutely by someone, whether it’s their family, friends, or coworkers.

Honor the losses of those young people who never will get a chance by making the world just a bit better. Anton is a fine example of someone who passes on before they should, at the age of 27. His death is not worse or better than anyone who passes on at a young age, but provides an opportunity to reflect and remember him, and those who die young. Any loss of life is infinitely tragic and sad. The randomness of life will not change, and there will be others. All we can do is our part to honor their memory and make things better.

Most likely we’ve all known someone who was young. From my own experiences, I have lost a good friend between the 7^th and 8^th grades, a cousin died in his mid-20s. We see it every day on the news, or sometimes due to terrorism or gang violence. Accidents, homicides, disease, terrorism…the list goes on.

Remember a life lost. Lament the loss of a future, the family that will never be. Think for a moment what it would be like if your grandparents did not meet and start a family. You would not be here. Maybe one of your ancestors missed the train by a few minutes that would later crash and burn, or just missed a car accident by inches that may have been fatal. Maybe one survived the flu in 1918, which killed so many. The point is that there are so many things that could have happened, but yet, each of us are here and alive, at least for the moment.

Death is a part of life. You see the cliches about death always wins, or that we’ll never get out of here alive, but hopefully only after a good life has been lived. Mourn those who pass on, especially the youth. Lament their passing like we should do. Live your life to make the world better in their honor. Help to make up the loss through your deeds.

Mourn the loss of Anton Yelchin, and all those who pass away far too young. Feel and pray for all the families who have to suffer. Always strive to live in their honor, making the world a better place. Treat each other with respect and kindness. Don’t spread hate or bigotry. Be forgiving and caring. When we do these things, we honor their memory. May all those who have fallen be at eternal peace, for us, the living, honor their memory with goodness and caring.