Bowdoin has lost many of its friends in recent months. Death is difficult to deal with and can be difficult to talk about, but as much as it is a time for grieving, prayer, and remembrance, it is a time for reflection. When tragedy strikes so close to home, we come to the realization that life can be far too short.
It is especially too short because it can offer so much. The students, staff, and retired faculty that we have lost exemplified the College's offer to live life in the pursuit of "generous enthusiasms." Taryn King, Katie Scott, Phil Soule?all were passionate about the things they loved and showed their passion through their final days. On the field, on the dance floor, and on the sidelines, they chose to excel. By all accounts, not only were they good at what they did, but more importantly, they were good to the people around them.
It might seem strange to say that we can take lessons away from death. But as we grieve and reflect, we may learn to make sure that we lose ourselves in enthusiasms. We must do what we love?and not do things just for the sake of doing them?since we do not know what will come tomorrow. And perhaps we will learn to hug each other just a little bit harder, a little more often.
So many of us will cry, many of us will provide comfort to others, and many of us will do both. Together, in celebrating the lives of those we have lost, we can hope that we will affect the lives of others as much as our friends affected us.
The editorial represents the majority view of The Bowdoin Orient's editorial board. The editorial board is comprised of James D. Baumberger, Drew Fulton, Bobby Guerette, Evan S. Kohn, and Beth Kowitt.