I returned home from Steubenville Mid-America in Springfield, Missouri last week with lots of emotions, memories, and love for the Man Upstairs. I attended my first conference the summer after my sophomore year of high school. Now, I am home from my third and final conference wishing I could do it all over again. Here are the five stages of grief: Steubenville edition.
1. Denial
"Is it really over? No, it can't be. Do I really have to go back to the real world? I was having so much fun! Nope. I refuse."
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. You reminisce over the past weekend and wish you can go back. You don't want to accept the fact you have to go back to your normal life. But it's not all bad! At least you can sleep in your own bed and shower in your own bathroom now!
2. Bargaining
"Well, maybe I can sneak into another conference next weekend. Maybe I'll find someone who will be okay with me taking their place. I can do that, right?"
You're pretty much desperate at this point. You don't want to lose that "Jesus high" and you are willing to do whatever it takes to keep it. You can't wait another 365 days for the next summer conference. You want to go again and ASAP!
3. Anger
"I can't believe there will be teens at Steubenville somewhere next weekend who will be rocking out, praising God, and having the time of their life while I get to sit at home and DIE."
Now it's getting heated. You become envious of the other teens all across America who have yet to go to Steubenville. They get to make new friends and dance to awesome music while you sit at home binge-watching Netflix and trying not to cry. It's okay, we've all been there.
4. Depression
"BUT WHY DID IT HAVE TO END?! WHY?!"
You look through your photos from the conference and start sobbing like a baby. What you wouldn't give to experience Eucharistic adoration just one more time. You want to go back to the late nights in your dorm/hotel room with your best friends. You want to go back to the intimate small group talks. You can listen to the songs they played live, but it just isn't the same. Take me back!
5. Acceptance
You finally realize how blessed you were to be able to join thousands of other young, Catholic teens in celebrating God. There's always next year and there's always other conferences. You needed that weekend to remind you how loved you are by Him. And that's enough to make you smile!
