"The sorrow of the faithful is not a that of permanent loss, but the tender sense of sadness that comes in saying good-bye to someone we love for now. It will be the little things you will remember, the quiet moments, the smiles, the laughter. Although it may seem hard right now, it will be the memories of these little things that help push away the pain and bring the smiles back again."

I found this quote, written by an unknown author, on the internet. I wanted to find something to send my condolences to Ashley Williams' family. The community lost this 18-year-old girl on Monday, Sept. 23 in a Birmingham hospital after a brief illness.

I had only met her three or four brief times. She was always a kind person, full of energy, always smiling when I saw her.

Everyone I know that knew her has told me what a sweet person she was, and how she was always easy to be around and she would always be there to help you when you needed it.

Even though I didn't know her well, I know many people affected by her untimely death. There was a somber mood at Andalusia High School when the announcement was made on Tuesday.

Losing Ashley Williams and Michael Couch this year has made me see first-hand how precious life is. I know it is an over-done perception, but as one of my teachers explained it to me, seeing people in my own age group dying forces people my age to see their own mortality.

It is a scary thing. I think of the things these people will never get to do and it disheartens me.

It makes the little arguments that happen just because your parents won't let you do something, because you can't get your way or the bickering between siblings seem so insignificant.

It doesn't really matter if you don't get to do what you want to this weekend. Just let it roll off you and keep going. You never know when it can all be taken away from you just as suddenly as these two teenagers lives were.

Mr. and Mrs. Williams, my thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of unimaginable sorrow. Condolences also go out to all the friends and other family.