If I die young, bury me in satin, lay me down on a bed of roses, sink me in a river at dawn, send me away with the words of a love song.

No one really knows what it’s like to lose someone until it happens, and at the high school age, at any age really, people hope it won’t ever happen, but loss of a life is inevitable. We just hope it happens later rather than sooner. With the events of Shattered Dreams, students have been able to grasp, at least a little bit, how horrifying and emotional it can be to lose someone.

The simulated accident on Thursday was chilling, especially with the cries and sobs from senior Zane Hudson and junior Sierra Stevenson. Friday’s funeral, however, cemented the message as tears and sniffles were heard across the audience: do not drink and drive, stay safe, and be careful. One decision has the power to change a person’s life forever.

Life is a precious thing. As the old saying goes, a life is a terrible thing to waste. So don’t. Carpe diem, seize the day. Take chances, but be safe about them.

We only get one life. One life to experience all the wonders and secrets in this world, so do not waste it. Squeeze every ounce, every drop, possible from this life; milk it for all it’s worth because this is the only one we get.