First of all, I'd like to say how sad I am about singer/actress Aaliyah's death last Saturday.

I've been doing a lot of thinking since then about life, and one thing really stuck out. Over the past few months I've been so sad that Shannen left Charmed that it's almost been like she had actually died. But now that a well-known celebrity has passed away, it's put Shannen's departure into perspective for me.

At least Shannen's alive.

I can't imagine what the Aaliyah fans must be going through right now. When you have a idol and you look up to them so much, even love them, you dream about the day when you finally get to meet them. Well, as unrealistic as that sounds, at least there's a chance. That one hope is enough to keep you happy, but when that hope is gone, all that's left is emptiness.

I would rather Shannen leave Charmed and still be alive than have her actually be gone. Think about what it would be like if she had really died, Prue would have had to die by default. At least a part of her is alive. It's alive in Shannen and I don't even want to imagine a life without Shannen on this earth. At least there's a possibility that she may one day return to Charmed, and maybe even one day I'll get to meet her...but now I realize how fragile and how precious that one hope is.

I'm still very sad that Shannen had to leave and Prue has to die...but at least we still have Shannen. So instead of mourning the death of a tv show character, I want to celebrate the life of the wonderful actress that played her, and support her for as long as I live. I love Shannen and I don't know what I would do without her. Just knowing that she's alive is enough to take away the sadness that's left in her absense on Charmed.