I was set to write an editorial this morning about the importance of learning new things. I had plans to share my own efforts to learn something new each and every day either through reading, taking piano lessons (my newest long-term learning commitment) or sharing conversations with others who have experienced things different from me.

Those plans have been thwarted just a bit today, although perhaps they should instead be expanded upon. Arriving at the Chronicle office this morning (Wednesday) I was met with an email message telling me of the death of a dear young woman. Whitney Burch Barrett served the Jefferson County Development Authority as assistant and was a vibrant, beautiful young wife and mother who lost her life to a heart infection. She leaves behind a distraught family– mother, sister, husband and young daughter.

I know that Whitney loved life…I have seen her laughing, working, serving others over the years and she will truly be missed in this community. I cannot imagine the struggles her family will face with her passing. I ask that you join me in praying for them as they try to make sense of this loss.

The death of someone so full of promise leads us to realize how quickly life can be snatched away. It reminds us that we must not live a life of fear, anger, sadness-but rather, we should live each moment as if it were our last. In that vein, I come back to my original thought for this week’s editorial: Learn something every day! Enjoy new things whether it be via reading, talking, crafts, sports….whatever challenge you may come across. Don’t be afraid to reach for the stars and live life to the fullest. Share love with those around you and don’t focus on sadness, anger or other emotions that take away from living.

There are so many ways to live life to the fullest by making the decision to step out of a comfort zone or even to step further into that zone! Look around the community for opportunities to broaden, learn and live.