Bre Payton, a conservative writer for The Federalist, died suddenly Friday. She was only 26.

The youthfulness of her age struck me.

How does someone 26 die “suddenly”? As stupid a question as that is, the news is always troubling to me, personally.

Was it drugs? Was it an accident? Foul play? My mind goes through the rudimentary actions.

No, Miss Payton was being treated for Swine Flu and apparently contracted Meningitis and died of complications.

That’s it. Shocked and saddened are not the words…I had flashbacks of grief.

My Best Friend

I was taken back to the loss of my best friend.

In December 2004, he too died suddenly.

He was very young, athletic, and a hardcore Libertarian warrior.

However, he believed he had the flu and stayed home eating cold cereal.

After nearly two days of treating his flu like symptoms, he went into shock and his family called 911.

The doctors found he had previously undiagnosed diabetes.

But it was too late.

He slipped into a diabetic coma and died in the ER room as doctors frantically tried to resuscitate him.

I learned how short life really is that cold December morning and how one should enjoy every moment of it.

Enjoy it while it lasts

Just a couple of days ago Miss Payton was alive and thriving in our Conservative community.

She was Missy’s favorite author and widely respected at The Federalist.

Young, pretty, and very talented.

But as unwelcome a guest as he is, death comes for all and sometimes abruptly makes visits.

So, as the New Year approaches, I ask all — Conservatives and Liberals — let’s not waste time attacking each other over pettiness.

Let’s stop personal attacks and focus on solving the issues we all face together. After all, we are Americans first.

Let’s work together to make America greater than it has ever been.

Because life’s too short no matter how long you live it.

Our lives are but a drop in the great ocean of time.

Together, let’s make the most of it. Let’s work to end the polarization being fueled by special interests and global corporations who care more about their bottom line than our daily lives.

Let’s not resort to violence and despair when we have differences, but seek to reconcile those differences through communication. Then let’s force our leaders to work together!

And maybe, just maybe, we can rekindle the flame of brotherly love and enjoy life while it lasts.

Max is also the host of The Max Radio Broadcast on YouTube and founder of The Max Warriors Network, a dedicated Twitter brigade of Deplorables.

Follow Max @Maximus_4EVR.