News of two brothers killed in a car crash in the wee hours of Saturday morning, the day before Mother's Day, is enough to make even a stranger of the family cry.
Police believe speed and alcohol were factors in the crash, only making the whole tragedy feel even more senseless.
Granted, the story may hit those of us with teenage sons a little harder, but we doubt there's a soul in our community who doesn't feel even a fraction of the weight from this loss.
Within moments of the news breaking, people were on social media networks, and in person, expressing their grief and paying tribute to the Moses brothers from McNair secondary.
By the end of the day, a makeshift memorial had been erected at the crash site on No. 4 Road south of Steveston Highway, where people have brought flowers and photos to honour the boys. But this is where it gets somewhat troubling.
Among the offerings are empty bottles of liquor and pictures of fast cars.
It's hard to know the thinking behind these tributes. Do kids think they're celebrating the boys with these tokens of life in the fast lane that may, in fact, have contributed to their deaths?
Meanwhile, the boys' grandfather was speaking to the media about the dangers of drinking and driving, and the sense of invincibility youth so often feel - not that young people haven't heard this before. This generation grew up on the "don't drink and drive" message.
Either the message hasn't been effective, or despite all the messaging in the world, and even faced with heartbreaking consequences, the lethal mix of youth, alcohol and fast cars continues to lure.
Clearly, there is still work to be done. Not just in educating kids, but in understanding how they make their choices.
In the meantime, our hearts go out to the family and friends of these young men whose time was too short.
