The death of a youngish friend who was vibrant, warm and such good company was so shocking. And now I find a work colleague and friend who is also a lovely person is most probably facing terminal cancer. I am an older parent with a young child and sometimes it just seems quite overwhelming and just inexplicable that people, their children, friends and so on have so much pain and sorrow. I am not particularly morose or downbeat but life is to put it bluntly brutal at times. I could go on about terrorism, alzheimer's and all the other frightening horrors and yes I do appreciate the beauty and joy in the world but at this moment in time I feel frightened and wonder how others do it.