Alive

Yesterday's tragic news about Malachi Mitchell-Thomas was gut wrenching, I watched in awe last year as he took the Manx Grand Prix crown. A life so young, so full of promise, was taken in a split second.  Coming so soon after Billy Redmayne lost his life in Scarborough is a devastating blow to everyone in the racing family.
And yes in the immediate moments of hearing the news I had that thought of 'is this too dangerous, was his life taken unnecessarily'. And I understand those outside the sport who hold those views.
But you know, we are humans, and however you believe we came to be, we have senses and those senses need to be stimulated, it's what makes us feel alive, it's what makes us human.
Some feel alive racing a motorbike; some feel alive climbing a mountain, or swimming the sea; some feel alive through music or dance; some feel alive just sitting and seeing a stunning landscape. Some enjoy solitude, and some a boisterous crowd.
Our lives may be short or long, some babies may not live at all, but they are loved as much as a grandma who's seen a century.
So however you feel alive, do it. Enjoy it. Dream about it, and remember it. And when you've gone, those who love you will remember you always, that you were you, and that you were alive.