It's so easy to get caught up in life. Especially in college, where there's constantly test after test, quiz after quiz, hours of homework to complete each night, as well as the desire and expectation to uphold a solid social life, it's easy to get lost in all that's happening.
Trust me, I've been there. I let it happen to me. I used to close myself up in my room or at the local coffee shop and spend hours working, maybe stopping to answer a text every now and then. I would hang out with my new college friends, enjoying life with them between football games and worship nights.
I wouldn't even think to text those sweet friends from high school that I still claimed to love or that one friend from camp who I viewed as a sister.
But then things changed.
On August 14, 2015, I woke up to texts at 2:54 am saying, "Guys, Max passed away earlier tonight."
A boy from my high school, a mere five days shy of turning 20 years old and with his whole life in front of him, had passed away after a car accident earlier in the week. A boy who could have ended up on Broadway one day was suddenly taken from this world and yeah, it was a wake up call for me.
We are all so busy in life and we don't take time to remember the people who helped us become who we are today. I mean, there was always the occasional text here and there from back home, but only when someone was struggling or if someone needed prayers. It was never a solid conversation over the phone about how life is really going.
It sucks that it took a death to for me to basically snap out of it.
I told myself I would be a lot more intentional with every conversation I had from that point on. I want to know that my friends are happy where they are and that their lives are going well. I want them to know that I love them endlessly and that even now, two years removed, they are my best friends and that I am so grateful that they are all so wonderful, because they have shaped me into who I am right now.
I want to challenge you to do the same.
Call those friends from high school who you miss. Don't even worry about being awkward or it being uncomfortable because you're making the first contact. Text them right now and tell them you love them. Tell them you're grateful for them and that they are so amazing and that you miss them.
I know my life has been crazy, but there have been so many reminders lately of just how precious it is. I take it for granted constantly, but the fact that I am even alive today is a gift. Life here isn't over. Slow down and take a few days to really remember what's important.
As my dear friend Tracey Meeks once said, "We need to ruthlessly eliminate hurry in our lives."
Take a day. Take a week. However long you need, just go back to your roots and reflect on what life is really about. Is that test going to matter in 10 years? No. Not at all. But your relationships will and the people in your life will. Invest time in people and not things and life will be 10x more rewarding.
It's okay to tell a friend you miss them. It's okay to call a friend at 11 pm when you're having a bad night. Let people know that you're thinking of them, let them know that you love them, and let them know that you care.
You really never know how quickly things can change. I know for a fact that I'm never going to let myself get so caught up again because you really do miss so much.
Don't wait around for a tragedy to happen to start appreciating the people in your life. Do it now.
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Dedicated in loving memory of two lives lost way too young.
Max Chambers (August 18, 1995- August 13, 2015)
"He was so incredible and full of light that every person he met was better off for having known him. He had the most amazing gift of bringing joy to even the darkest places or the saddest individuals. He chased his dreams and pursued his passions with inspiring fearlessness." - Kaitlyn Sterling
Kyle Bowersox (December 20, 1993 -September 4, 2015)
Kyle was full of joy to the point where even upon meeting him years ago, I noticed it. He was constantly laughing and it was infectious and you couldn't help but smile when he was around. You never really caught him having a bad day, and I think that was my favorite thing about him.
A huge thank you to the friends who kept me grounded and continues to keep me grounded. You are all beautiful and lovely and I am so genuinely excited to see where you all go from this point on. I love you all so much.
