Steph, we are all here only for the twinkling of an eye, and even that is sometimes shorter, and sometimes longer. What is important is what we do with that time, our time, and how we live it - your friend Dan got his bit right, and so it was not futile, and while life can seem cruel, he obviously did not think that, your wonderful description of him drew a picture of someone fully engaged in living. Celebrate the person you knew him to be, and how fortunate you were to know him. That is all we can do. When I lost someone really close, also so so young, a friend reminded me that it is not how long we are here, but that we have been here, that quantifying life and measuring it by what was not does not help us give thanks for what was. It was a great comfort to me, and helped me endure what than and sometimes still does seem unendurable.

Take care, keep the faith, and the love
Lindy xx