This weekend, I had the privilege of watching Five Finger Death Punch cover The Offspring’s “Gone Away” here in Phoenix. Three months ago, I watched Dexter Holland play the piano version of his own song from almost the same spot in the same venue.

Both singers paid tribute to friends they lost years ago. Before his version, Five Finger frontman Ivan Moody discussed his struggle with alcoholism and recent sobriety. He then asked the audience if they knew how much time they had left in life.

I turned to my friend and told him I did not want to think about that. The honest answer—for most of us, but especially me—is I don’t know.

As a writer and guitarist struggling with dermatomyositis, songs like “Gone Away” almost make me cry these days. They remind me, as Moody reminded us, of life’s transience and fragility.