Forrest Gump said that life is like a box of chocolates. I’ve also heard that life is an uphill battle you’re fighting in the rain. I think everyone would have a different way of explaining and comparing life because the way you describe life says a lot about you.
Take me for example; I liken life to a book that I’ll never complete fully. My life could end up being an epic novel covering thousands of pages, or it could end up being a 38-page book that someone could read in one sitting. That’s the beauty of life, though. I’m already writing chapter 22 in the story of my life, but I swear to God just yesterday I was on chapter 13. This article isn’t meant to be a grandiose exclamation on why you need to cherish the moments you have, I’m literally trying to comprehend that I’m 22 already.
To better help myself, and you, I’m going to walk through some of the most important chapters I’ve written thus far. Major key alert, reflection is necessary.
Chapter Two: Moving. My family moved from the west side of Detroit to my current home in Dearborn. Though I have since moved up to school and spend the majority of my time there, all the while envisioning moving somewhere along the East Coast, my house in Dearborn will be the only home I will ever truly know.
Chapter Eight: Failure. When I was eight years old, I used to wake up early and ride my bike along side my dad when he would take his morning run. It was usually around four miles, so I never thought to run with him. I would grab my bike and we would hit the road. One morning, however, with about a mile and a half left I asked my dad if he would ride my bike home so I could run. He agreed and I took off sprinting. When I went to the bathroom after arriving home, the toilet bowl filled with blood. About nine hours later, after going to my family doctor and then being told I needed to rush out to Children’s Hospital, I was told that my kidneys were almost at full failure. That was the reason for all of the blood. This began my fear of hospitals and doctors.
Chapter Fifteen: Loss. I was sitting in my Journalism class when I was called down to the principal’s office to meet my mom. When I got there, her best friend was standing at the counter waiting for me and quickly led me to her car. About four minutes later we pulled into the emergency entrance at Oakwood Hospital, and ran as fast as I could to the room on the second floor. It was my grandma. When I ran into the room, she already passed away. This was the moment I lost her. I’ll never forget seeing my mom cry.
Chapter Eighteen: Adulthood. I could not fathom the fact that I was an adult when I turned 18. It didn’t make any sense to me. I couldn’t bring myself to accept it actually. I refused to believe that time passed so quickly, and I was only months away from graduating high school. Time feels as though it's passing more quickly since then.
I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to accept how quickly the passage of time works. One minute, I’m 14 and experiencing summer from four o’clock in the afternoon until three o’clock in the morning. Next, I’m 22 and I worked my summers away for the past three years.
As I said earlier, I guess that’s the beauty of life. The warp speed at which it passes demands that you enjoy the moments you have. Every once in a while take a step back and look at the incredible journey you've had.
Tick tock.
