Death will never become "easy" and there is never a perfect way to handle it, especially with our hectic college lives. However, we can make it a more loving place by remembering those who made it so beautiful for us.
Sara Mutschlechner, a 20-year-old student at the University of North Texas and proud member of Zeta Tau Alpha, was tragically shot in the head around 2 A.M. on New Year's Day by six unknown men in a black SUV. Sara was the designated driver, picking up some friends from a nearby party that the suspects were also attending. Sara was taken to the Denton Regional Medical Center, where her parents made the incredibly tough decision to take their only child off life support. Her family, friends and the entire UNT community are grieving the loss of a wonderful girl, who will never be forgotten.
Tragedies, like Sara's death, remind us that you really never know what can happen. Death can come so unexpectedly. You think it can't really happen to you or anyone you know, but it can, and it sucks. Even though death is inevitable, no one deserves a tragic death, especially when they had so much to experience. Memories and emotions run through the mind and you think about the time you'll never get to have with them, but that shouldn't be the point. It's times like these where you really cherish the person and the time you did have with them. Grieve their death, but celebrate their life and the fact that they got to be apart of yours.
Life really is short and you never know what could happen. Declare your love for someone. Tell your friends what they mean to you. Appreciate your parents more often. Do the things on your bucket list. Always have dessert. Buy the concert ticket. Take that trip. Live life to the fullest and surround yourself with good company, because at the end of the day, that is what matters most. I always remind myself that you miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take. Don't look back on life and wonder "what if," say "oh well." My brother once asked me "if you died tomorrow, and someone wrote a book on your life, what would it say?" Our life will be measured by how we made people feel and the experiences we had.
Sara, I met you two weeks before you passed, and I wish I could have gotten to know you better because the way your friends talk about you, it seems like you were an amazing person. I'm so sorry this happened to you. Just know that you have a lot of people who love you and will always remember you.
Rest in peace, Sara. Gone, but never forgotten.
