Story by KRISTIN GALLAGHER, Business Manager

Dear students, faculty, staff and community members,

Death is no easy subject to tackle. There is no right or wrong way to cope, or any directions on how to move on. It is time, as they say, that heals all wounds.

But in this time, our minds wander.

This is perhaps the only instance I ever say that the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” do not matter in breaking news.

The only thing that is relevant at this time is that there was a life taken in our community. The other details, the ones that are so sought after, will come in the time we take to heal.

The feelings of angst, anger, sadness and surprise sometimes rob us of our senses, and we begin to focus on the reasons why things happen rather than the fact that they actually did.

The truth is the reason will never be important, because there is never going to be a “good reason” for death.

We need to accept that our questions are not going to be answered all at once, because we simply have too many of them.

We must rest assured knowing that all the loose ends we find fear in now will come together in the end.  We must allow time its process, and turn to the people around us for the support we need to be patient.

Although our community is hurting, please know that good people are never forgotten. Acceptance does not mean letting go, and as time passes, it will carry along the memories of such a beautiful soul.

To quote George Eliot, “Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them.”

And we will never forget him.

May you find peace in your new life, Blaine.  We will all truly miss you.