Less than 2 weeks ago I completed an interview with Dan and Judith, the couple who spent 2 amazing years in Provence, house-swapping their Toronto home for a country house in the south of France, who had just recently returned from another trip back to France.

Just 2 days ago I had a chance to include Dan and Judith's beautiful photos into the interview and I re-uploaded the interview with the photos onto the site and also sent the link to Judith.

5 minutes ago I received an email from Judith saying that she could only respond briefly since she had to get ready for Dan's funeral who had passed away unexpectedly on Monday from a heart attack. In all her grief, Judith managed to say that she was glad that Dan's words and photos will live on in this website.

I am in a total state of shock right now because when I met Dan and Judith they both seemed so vital, so full of energy, and his sudden death has taken me aback. I didn't know either one of them very well since they are friends of friends, but both Dan and Judith showed me tremendous hospitality, inviting me into their home and sharing with me personal stories about one of the most exciting periods in their lives.

This news today, combined with the tragic news of the London subway bombings, brings me back to the harsh reality that we never know which day will be our last on this planet. As much as we have figured everything out, made plans, strategized for our lives - something completely unforeseen could happen, an illness, an accident, even a terrorist attack, that could turn our lives upside down and shoot all our plans to pieces.

Today more so than ever, let's enjoy, treasure and appreciate life; let's enjoy, treasure and appreciate the people around us; let's live every day to the

Time, health and our families and friends are our most precious commodities on this planet, and events like these hit home that we need to appreciate and value them for the indispensable resources that they are. Life is too short and precious to be filled with negative stuff.

My heart goes out to Judith in these difficult times, and I thank both of them once again for having shared their exciting stories with us. And to Dan: wherever you are, I hope you have a bit of Provence with you.........

About The Author

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions (http://www.travelandtransitions.com). Travel and Transitions deals with unconventional travel and is chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences, interviews with travellers and travel experts, insights and reflections, cross-cultural issues, contests and many other features. You will also find stories about life and the transitions that we face as we go through our own personal life-long journeys.

Submit your own travel stories in our first travel story contest (http://www.travelandtransitions.com/contests.htm) and have a chance to win an amazing adventure cruise on the Amazon River.

"Life is a Journey Explore New Horizons".

The story with photos is published at Travel and Transitions – Insights and Reflections (http://www.travelandtransitions.com/insights/memoriam_dan.htm).