This is what I wrote to my wife in reply to her email about one of her colleagues, who's battling with an advanced stage cancer. Without down playing the effect of such tragedy, it is worth mentioning that we are all going to die one day. Some due to accident, some due to disease, and some are murdered in the hands of others. So, mourn the death of others, as much as you celebrate their happiness.

Unfortunately, we (as a family) tend to sympathize more with the death of others than with their happiness. I suppose this is an instinctual reaction, but not a logical one.