Young and Dead

Amy Winehouse (1983-2011)

It is always tragic when a life is lost. The tragedy is even more heartrending and frustrating when a young life is lost. The loss in this case seems to percolates through the realms of human loss and into the premature end to the possibilities. Every life has something to offer to someone in this world. Whether it's just a helping hand or the power to influence millions. But life can at times be cruel and overwhelming, forcing us to go down the alley of disenchantment, a place where not too many often come back. 

A few hours back Miss Amy Winehouse, an English singer-songwriter was found dead in her home in London. Although the media is attributing her death to drug overdose but Metropolitan Police spokesman has described the cause of death as yet unexplained. Either way the world has lost a musician and her demise has left her fans wondering what dreams may have come if she had been alive. 

Kurt Cobain (1967-1994)

Miss Amy Winehouse was twenty seven years old. An age which seems to have got the best out of most the artists. Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain are some of the big names that died when they crossed over the twenty seven year mark in their lives. It is called The 27 Club, perhaps one of the greatest myths of Rock & Roll. Now Miss Winehouse is a part of this infamous club. Kurt Cobain's mother reacted on her son's death,"Now he’s gone and joined that stupid club. I told him not to join that stupid club."

Perhaps the late twenties is the age when the life is at a turning point. It is a period when you are coming in terms with yourself. An age when the redefining of life is at a precarious stage for most. An age when success and failures play a long role in the years yet to come. Sometimes during these years it is difficult to reach a point of self-realization and reach a peace with your own identity. Some struggle through these years until they reach a point of enlightenment. Others rely on artificial means of keeping themselves absorbed in a circle of comfort that keeps the painful process of self-realization at bay. 

The music Miss Winehouse created would continue to enchant new followers and give her fans something to listen when they are in mood of a Winehouse song. The myth around the number 27 would continue to grow in media as speculations would spiral out of roof. Hopefully some of us would also take heed of the struggles she fought throughout her life. And respect her for her art, her passion for music and creating an era of music that would continue to inspire others.

www.hansiemovie.com

P.S. I watched the movie 'Hansie' based on the life of Hansie Cronje. A great cricketer, captain and human being who died young. He made some mistakes and he carried the burden of those mistakes. In the movie as the character is struggling through a life crisis, his father says,"God has forgiven you, it's time you forgive yourself."

So when at times when life is harsh and painful maybe that's the time you have to forgive yourself. That's the time when you say to yourself to take it easy. As life is too precious to be lost early. Cheers!