There are no answers that can comfort the families of Jay Naylor, 18, of Hope Valley and Elizabeth Greenhalgh, 16, of Ashaway – both died in a car crash on Oct. 29. And there are no answers why Brandon Algier survived the crash. Bad luck, good luck – those are about the only answers we can come up with here. It’s simply a horrible tragedy and extreme good fortune that Brandon survived.

And we know that is of no comfort to the grieving families.

Losing a child is one of the hardest losses to endure in life and those families will heal to some extent but the loss of a child likely stays with you forever.

Parents are not supposed to outlive their children – Elizabeth’s mother said. This is a common sentiment among grieving parents and it’s completely true.

When a child dies it messes up the natural progression of life.

Teenagers like Naylor and Greenhalgh had their whole lives in front of them. It’s unfair they didn’t get to reach their potential. Naylor loved computers and electronics and Elizabeth was inclined to the arts – theatre, photography, music, writing. Who knows where their lives would have led? These 11th graders were both planning on attending New England Technical Institute.

Our hearts go out to both of their families. Their deaths are a horrible tragedy and that’s about the only answer we can think of.

There’s no comfort for a grieving parent – even if you believe the souls of the deceased live on.

Naylor and Greenhalgh will continue to live in the memories of those who loved them. And they will be missed. For all accounts, both of them lit up a room with their happiness and levity.

On Oct. 29, the world grew a little dimmer.

Our hearts go out to you – the families and friends of Jay and Elizabeth.