Pride in the Name of Love

I cannot say, and I will not say
That he is dead. He is just away.
With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand,
He has wandered into an unknown land
And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since he lingers there.
And you -- oh you, who the wildest yearn
For an old-time step, and the glad return,
Think of him faring on, as dear
In the love of There as the love of Here.
Think of him still as the same. I say,
He is not dead -- he is just away.
~~~James Whitcomb Riley

I suppose we should not think that any death is untimely in the hands of God.
But in our short-sided view it is almost impossible to not feel some die too soon.