A sadness I remember all too well

This weekend, there was a teenager killed in an accident from a town in our region.  What makes this especially sad, is this little community just lost two teenagers in August...three teenagers lost in just nine weeks.  That is a lot to deal with in such a short time.  Sadly, I remember those feelings from my own high school years.  In my four years of high school, we lost six teenagers, and another three were killed during my 8th grade year.  That is nine teenagers from August, 1987 - December 1991...and that is entirely too many.  I remember the last one in 1991.  Jeannette was the one I was personally closest to, and as we gathered together at a friend's house, I remember thinking it had to be it.  Our little town couldn't take anymore.  I know that those experiences had a profound impact on who I am and how I react to things.  It's a lot to deal with, especially for teenagers who don't always know how to process their emotions.  My prayers are with the victim's families.