RIP Jason Collier

This past weekend Jason Collier died. He left behind a wife and child. He grew up in Springfield Ohio, and went to my high school. I will be honest and say that I didn't know him that well. The closest I came was sitting behind him in Physics class. However, what I did know of him, was that he was a humble, and generous person. He was immensly popular for his basketball life, but it never seemed to go to his head. I guess an old cliche seems to fit best, "gentle giant".

I might be a little morbid I guess, but from time to time I catch up with a friend on what all the people I went to school with are doing now, and I can never help but wonder which of the people I know will die first. I certainly never would have imagined in a hundred years it would have been Jason. Let me explain a little... I remember as a child sitting around my parents and listening as they talked about the people they knew who had died. So, I guess this is where I picked it up.

Progress in life certainly seems to be measured by milestones. In my life they've seemed to be:

• Starting School
• Graduating 8th grade
• First Job
• Driver's License
• Graduating high school
• Drinking age
• College
• Marriage
• House

Seems like there's only a couple left, kids, grandkids, retirement, death. It's like life is a big scavenger hunt that you're collecting the pieces for.

Okay, enough depression for one day. Collier family, I am deeply sorry for your loss, and I am also sorry that the world lost a great person.