Rob Coffer memorial

Another life lost this holiday season I was made aware of and when I heard about it I cried. The young man was only 27. He had his whole life ahead of him, and the world is quieter because of it.

Twenty-seven is an age full of becoming. Still figuring things out. Still carrying dreams, burdens, questions, and plans that didn’t get the chance to unfold. To those who loved him, the shock is unbearable. The grief is raw. And the unanswered why will echo for a long time.

This is the part of the story no one prepares you for—the pain that can hide behind smiles, jokes, and “I’m fine.” The battles that aren’t visible. The weight someone can carry alone while the world assumes they’re strong enough to handle it.

Today, we remember him not for how he died, but for who he was. For the life he lived, the love he gave, and the space he filled in the hearts of others. His life mattered. His pain mattered. And his absence will be felt forever.

If this loss teaches us anything, let it be this: check on your people. Listen without fixing. Speak kindness even when it feels small. And if you’re struggling—please reach out. You are not weak for needing help. You are human.

If you’re in the U.S., you can call or text 988 to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline—24/7, confidential, and there to listen.

To his family and friends: may you find strength in one another, comfort in memories, and peace in time. He will not be forgotten.