It's crazy.

You take for granted the blessings of a small town growing up, always wishing to move away the first chance you get. Being a Suburbian now, I am amazed by the lack of camaraderie and support in larger communities. When tragedy occurs, it is acknowledged but not felt. Where I grew up, in a "podunk" town called El Paso, Illinois, things were different. You would go into a shop on Main Street and see the big sister of the girl who sat next to you in Chemistry. You'd end up talking for 15 minutes about how her family is doing and whatever big sporting event was coming up that weekend. Yeah, sure, you may not get along with everyone in a small community but you feel safe and supported.

In a way, it is almost like a family.

This past week, some bad news came forward. A member of my small-town community passed away after a hard-fought battle. Joey Gardner was a young man with a smile that could make even the darkest of days seem a little bit brighter. His work ethic and heart was portrayed boldly in every facet of his life. Whether he was on the court, in the classroom, or at church on Sunday morning, he was giving everything he had. His closest friends knew him as 'J-Rose', former leader of the EPG Bench Gang. Many in the community knew him as a great athlete, playing basketball, football, baseball, and track & field throughout high school. Some knew him for his excellent part in the high school play. In the summer, you could travel to the Gridley Pool and see him slowly falling for a co-worker that turned out to be the love of his life. It is even possible you had seen him at youth group every week, professing his love for Jesus Christ. Wherever you knew Joey from, you knew he was a great guy.

It's times like these, our community begins to mend its broken heart.

When things like this happen in our community, it hurts. Everyone feels it. No one knows what to do or say, but we know that it's real. When these waves of life seem just a little bit too unbearable, we lean on one another to keep each other afloat. The love and support I have seen from this community will always be something I am proud of. Seeing the prayer circles all over town and the amount of money and resources donated gives hope for the future. Knowing that, through thick and thin, my town will be there to pick me up when I'm falling is a beautiful haven. It is unimaginable to think what the Gardner family is going through, but I think I speak for the whole community in saying that we are ready to help and support in any way we can.

Joey is with God now, peacefully rejoicing with his new angelic family. I am comforted knowing that this is only the beginning of an eternal journey for him. I, for one, can't wait for the day I get to join him! But until then, I know that Joey would want each and every one of us to live every day like it was our last, and do it with a smile on our faces.