I sit here right now deep in thought about two losses to this world last night.

Last night, news came out that country singer Mindy McCready took her own life, leaving behind two little boys. I posted on Twitter that I was sadly not too surprised, knowing she was a very troubled soul. Now, don’t take my lack of surprise as a lack of compassion! My heart goes out to her family and close friends left wondering why. Left wondering if there something more they could have done. I’m standing among the many going, “This is not an answer! There was still so much to live for… whether you can see it in that moment or not!”

Less than two hours after news broke of McCready’s death, my brother texted to let me know a friend had lost her husband. She and my sister-in-law are close friends, and we’ve spent many holidays and get-togethers with their family joining us.

Her husband had been sick for a long time, and I won’t pretend to know all he/they have gone through the last few years. But fighting is something I know he did every day… for himself, his wife and his kids. I can’t… I absolutely CAN’T… comprehend what his family is going through, and my heart aches for them. I pray for strength for them.

So here I sit, thinking about these two people taken from this world last night, and I see this cruel, cruel irony. As one gave up their life purposely, and the other had spent so much time fighting to live. Both leaving behind small children.

I guess, no matter what, my hope is they both are at peace, and that they families can pull together and support each other, love each other, and know that there are many, many others thinking of them and praying for them.