Yesterday a helicopter crash in California took the lives of nine people, including basketball legend Kobe Bryant, and his 13 year-old daughter Gianna.

Once the shock of hearing such tragic news started to wear off, sadness set in. Sadness for those nine people whose lives were cut short. Sadness for the nine families that will never be the same again.

Today the world mourns Kobe and Gianna Bryant along with John Altobelli, wife Keri , and their daughter Alyssa. The world mourns Sarah Chester her daughter Payton, Christina Mauser, and pilot Ara Zobayan . Our hearts go out to their families . Families who have been changed forever.

A tragedy such as this shows us how short life really is. How, in the blink of an eye, someone’s world will never be the same again.

I urge you not to waste a single moment of this life you’ve been given. Hold your loved ones a little closer. Hug them a little tighter. Tell them how much you love them. Do it today because tomorrow is not a guarantee.