Some scenarios are almost too heartbreaking to contemplate.
When the worst comes to pass, however, people like Stephanie Rae reach out to their friends and family on social media to help them cope.
Stephanie is a 15-year-old from Dudley, England. She was dating 16-year-old Blake Ward, who was one of three teenagers swept out to sea last week at Tywyn, Gwynedd, in north-west Wales, before being rescued and airlifted to a hospital in nearby Liverpool, England.
Blake was immediately placed on life support. Five days later, Blake passed away.
Stephanie was with him the entire time.
Just before the doctors turned off Blake's life support, Stephanie climbed into bed and gave her boyfriend a final hug. She wrote on Facebook:
"Today has been the hardest day for me and it will be a day I will never be able to forget. As some of you may know Blake was involved in a terrible accident on Tuesday."
"I have been by his side through it all and I haven't left him as you all know Blake was a loving a caring person and would do anything for anyone we was told yesterday that Blake would never recover and his brain was to damaged and we had to make the hard decision of turning his machine off and let him go."
She wrote about the impact Blake had on her life:
"Blake was someone special to me and we had something special and we will always have that me and Blake had our ups and downs but we always got through them but just know Blake wasn't in any pain and he passed away with his family around him and he will forever be missed and he will always have a special place in my heart and I will never forget you Blake fly high my baby boy and I'm gonna make you proud love you and I always will."
Stephanie's friends and family are rallying together on social media as well.
At least those who knew Blake will know they are not alone during this difficult time.
Many strangers were touched by Blake's passing and sent their condolences.
Blake will not be forgotten any time soon. Though still young, he had a profound impact on many people, and will be remembered as a bright, charming young man.
H/T - Facebook, The Straits Times
Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
@arianagrande/Instagram
@arianagrande/Instagram