Amy Winehouse was a jewel — an indisputable talent, who died way to soon, before the depth of her talent fully blossomed.

One week ago, authorities found Winehouse’s body inside her London home. She was just 27.

I was first introduced to Winehouse a few years back while still attending college. Her soulful energy and powerful, gritty vocal chords pulled me in, weaving the story of a woman in scorn, a woman caught in between a bad relationship and her own ambitions and a woman who refused to seek rehab for her drug — and unrequited love — addictions.

With her mountain-high beehive hairstyles and shimmying dance moves during her on-stage performances, Winehouse was a mix of retro 1950s and 1960s rhythm and blues and soul ballads like that of Dusty Springfield and Martha and the Vandellas, and contemporary pop music, similar to that of The Fugees or Christina Aguilera. Amy stood out from all the Britney Spears’ and other dance club icons and one-hit- wonder phenomenons (of course Britney wasn’t, but you get my drift).

Like so many other musical prodigies in Hollywood who died before their time and who battled their own demons — Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday, Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain to name a few, Amy joined the long list of musicians who made their mark in the industry, but sadly never getting the chance to see the full impact they’d made on many lives.

Winehouse’s death made me realize that truly, life is extremely short. And honestly, you never realize just how short it is until someone leaves the planet, before you can even blink an eye.

I cannot complain anymore about not having what I would like.

I can no longer take for granted the things in life that many people struggle to maintain every day like water, food, shelter and clothing.

I cannot take for granted that I will see all of my siblings and my parents within the next five minutes, five days or even five weeks.

Just like a bullet has no name on it, neither does death. It can come for anyone — no matter the color, how young or old, rich or poor. Let’s appreciate life and live each day to the fullest because you never know when one day, one minute, could be your last.