My newest coworker is happily married. She and her husband both have good jobs. They have three sons. The oldest son has been on a mission in Brazil for their church for over a year. The second oldest son is a senior in high school. The youngest is a junior at the same high school. They are a happy family living the American dream, with a house, two cars, and a dog. Until…

Last night, just before midnight, their American dream became a nightmare….

This morning, when I arrived at work, it was shared with me that my coworker’s son (the senior) was killed in a car accident last night.

The news article said a teenager driving a small car on a highw]ay crossed over the center line, crashing head-on into a pickup truck, killing himself, and the 28-year-old male driver of the truck. Neither driver was wearing a seatbelt.

This young man’s tragic death is worsened by the fact he and his girlfriend were in a fight not long before the accident. The girlfriend is devastated and feels her life has been shattered.

My coworker and her husband, this young man’s parents, are beyond grief-stricken, as you can imagine. No parent should ever have to lose a child. I think of all of this boy’s family, friends, classmates, and neighbors, whose lives have been touched by him. Those who want, but will never get, to see him again, at least in this lifetime. My heart breaks for them, all.

Give your loved ones an extra tight hug tonight. You never know when it just might be their last.