Just read that Billy Preston just died today. For those who don't know who he was, he was often called the "fifth Beatle" for his work on the "Let It Be" album, which included the piano riff on "Get Back". In addition, Preston had some hits of his own, including "Will It Go Round in Circles" (1973), "Nothing from Nothing" (1974) and "With You, I'm Born Again" (1980) with singer Syreeta.

Preston died from complications of malignant hypertension that resulted in kidney failure. He had a kidney transplant in 2002 and had been a coma since November of last year. He was 59 years old.

Much, much too young.

On a similar note, today would have been my father's 82nd birthday. My dad died in 1998 and was a pretty strong guy for as many years as I remember him. I can't imagine what he would have looked like, had he not died of cancer. Would he still be active? Would he still be a practicing Rabbi in some form or another? I suppose everyone dies when they are supposed to and that's why I can't picture what life would have been like.

I have no doubt that any of y'all who have lost someone fell any differently. As little kids, we can't fathom the idea of being without a father or mother (although many are unfortunately forced into that position). We grow up in the belief that "it can't happen to me" and live life without fear. Then one day - you may be 10 years old, or you could be 36 like me - and it's over. You know longer feel that sense of security. My father was misdiagnosed 4 years earlier. He had the unfortunate luck of living in Florida, where most people are either murdered by killed by HMOs. Because of the doctor's error, when the cancer was finally found, it was too late. I remember the last lucid conversation with him as if it were just yesterday. It was at that moment that I realized he wouldn't be there anymore.

As I reflect on it now, 8 years after, I find myself wondering "what if". Would my mother have deteriorated as fast as she has? Would my heart ailments been too much for him to bear? What if, what if, what if...

I remember as a child thinking it was so cool that my father's father was born in 1894. Wow, 1894! The last century! I would try to imagine what his life must have been like as a child. Unfortunately, he died when I was about 5, so I never really had the chance to know him. Of course now, he'd have been 112!

I wonder...

All four of my children were born in the 1990's, the last of whom (my twin boys) in 1998. Will it be the same for their grandchildren? Will they think it was cool that their grandfather (or grandmother in my daughters case) was born before the turn of the 21st century?

It's amazing the things we think of when we're reminded of death.