2017, you've supplied me with many things. New friends, new experiences, and new life lessons. You've also supplied me with the loss of friends, awful memories, embarrassing moments, injuries and maybe even a broken heart. You've been a cocktail of tests and trials, resulting in both tears and smiles. I don't know if I want to thank you or punch you in your non-existent face.
You were so many things. You were mass shootings and senseless deaths. You were Heather Alvarado, a wife and a mother of three who lost her life in the Las Vegas shooting. She was only 35 years old. You were Annabelle Pomeroy, the pastor's daughter of the Texas church that held one of the worst mass shootings the state had seen. She died at the young age of 14. You were also Chester Bennington, the lead singer of Linkin Park that committed suicide. He was only 41.
You gave everyone such devastating news. I cannot forget though, the great and heartwarming news you brought us. You were the child who was caught on a home security camera putting some Halloween candy back into an empty bowl, so other children could get some. You were Johnny Bobbitt, the homeless veteran who gave his last twenty dollars to Kate McClure who was stranded with no gas in her car. She returned his kindness tenfold and raised $315K for him. You were the thirty turtles that were rescued from freezing waters off cape cod and nursed back to health. You were the heroes that saved others lives: police officers, firefighters, even some bystanders.
You let sexual harassment be a less hush topic and made many women and men more brave for coming forth. You reminded us all that life is a mixture of pure and dark, good and evil. No matter what color your skin is, your religious beliefs, your political views, or even your sexual orientation, we are all human. We are people trying to get through life as unscathed as possible. For some, it's more difficult. Don't feel bad 2017, you weren't the only year to throw us some curve balls.
2017, you took a lot of great people from us. Mothers, fathers, children, grandchildren, grandparents, celebrities and strangers. You also birthed us future heroes, teachers, police officers, parents and peacemakers. Sorry to say though, 2017 we are completely over you.
We're over worrying about what this year will bring. We're over-focusing on the negative you've supplied us, but we're ready to learn from it so 2018 won't be so problematic. We must look forward with bright eyes and tough skin because let's be honest, you won't be the last year to give us problems. But you also won't be the last year to bring us amazing things as well.
This article is dedicated to everyone reading this. Because everyone has gained and lost something or someone this year. Keep moving forward and believe in better years to come. It's dedicated to the lives lost in meaningless acts of violence, whether at the hand of someone else or themselves.
It's dedicated to the people who have saved lives with nothing but bravery under their belt. We all create what each year brings. 2017 wasn't a tough year on its own. 2018 is just around the corner everyone: let's show 2017 what we're made of.