Losing a friend is always difficult no matter how many times one goes through it. I've said goodbye to too many friends over the course of my life. Even though some of their deaths were anticipated, vs. accidental, it never gets any easier to accept.

It's not like any of us are going to live forever, but when death strikes unexpectedly, whether by violence, suicide or accident, the departed one's friends and family are left with so many questions and overwhelming sadness.

I've lost friends to AIDS, suicide, drunk drivers, accidental overdose. and even old age. Now I have to add loss by fire.

Every friend I've lost leaves an aching gap in my soul.

Part of your soul just goes with them. You never really heal, you just forget that the gap is there. It comes back to you at the weirdest moments. Part of you dies with them. About the only thing you can do in the long term is simply remember them.