There’s a collective sadness when a young person dies.

As the parents and family grieve over the loss of Jordan Johnson, the entire community is heartsick over the untimely and unexplainable loss of a young man whose life held so much promise.

By all accounts, Jordan was a well-liked, active teen-ager who was quick to share a smile or a hug and whose athletic talents were evident on the court or the field at Cardinal High School.

Jordan, like many teen-age boys, liked to fish, hunt and race and according to his family was a full-fledged “river rat.”

His death this week, however, offers a harsh reminder that life is fragile. Without warning, a young person departs this Earth and we are all left with questions that can never be answered.

What remains are the memories of a brief, but purposeful life. And it’s clear Jordan did just that in his 16 years. Those memories will have to serve as quiet comfort to his family, friends and the community as they continue to grieve in the days and weeks to come.

Perhaps Jordan’s death or any passing is a testament to living your life with vigor, passion and purpose.

And given the fragility of human existence, maybe his death reminds us all that life is indeed short and what we do with our lives while we’re still here is so very important.

So be kind to your neighbor, give your kid a big hug and tell the people you care about, “I love you” every day.

If we knew our time on Earth was drawing to a close, we wouldn’t hesitate to do just that. But the unpredictability of life does not always give us that opportunity.

Jordan’s life once held great promise. Let his passing now shine a light on what’s important and may it comfort his family and friends that the community won’t soon forget a life well lived.