At any moment, tragedy can strike. Friday's devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunamis in Japan are all-too-real evidence of that. Although this tragedy may seem a world away from Anson County, we've also experienced our own unexpected tragedies recently, although on a much smaller scale.

Just a few weeks ago, an 11-year-old girl was accidentally shot to death by her 10-year-old brother. A few weeks previous, a 10-year-old boy was viciously attacked by a neighbor's pit bull and seriously injured. Although, thankfully, the boy, Damarius Knotts, is on the road to recovery after several surgeries, it's just one more example of how the unexpected can turn one's life completely upside down.

One of the lessons from these tragedies is that in the face of events like a wall of water washing away homes, cars, trucks and human lives, things like what Charlie Sheen is up to suddenly don't seem nearly as important. Who wore what gown to the Oscars is a miniscule detail.

In America, we are too focused on the unimportant, the superficial, the "me first" attitude. Instead of talking about whatever insane comment Charlie Sheen made on TV, maybe we should talk to our loved ones about what's going on in their lives.

Tell your family and friends that you love them. Give your children a big hug the next time you see them. Tell your co-workers that you appreciate the job they do every day.

As much as we may not want to think about it, one never knows when it might be the last chance you have to tell that person how you feel. Live in the moment. The next moment isn't promised.