It's 9:30 and I'm supposed to be working. I have lots to do, but I can't focus. Today has been a hard day.

Today I saw some posts on FB about the death of a young man I knew growing up. He was in my 4-H club, about 7 years younger than me. His whole family was in the club. He had three siblings. They were such a nice family. They are one of the families I think of when I think of our small town, a pillar of the community. I was really sad and surprised to hear he'd died.

Then I learned he died of a drug overdose. Suddenly his death hit me in a much worse way. What a waste. What a tragedy. That young man who I still remember as a sweet little boy, his father's namesake, the baby of the family, whose mom and dad and big brother and sisters loved him, is gone. I thought about how I would feel, and I just can't get it out of my head. I hope I never know how the death of a child feels. It seems like it would be too much to bear.

I gave my little boy extra hugs today. He asks for hugs and kisses often, and I gladly gave him all he wanted and more, and I hoped and prayed that he will outlive me.

It's scary to think that at some point, we have to let them go, and we can't make their decisions for them anymore. And they will make mistakes, and sometimes, those mistakes might kill them.

Tonight, my thoughts and prayers are all with that family.