You hear the phrase time and time again: you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. You hear it repeatedly, yet somehow, it never really hits home until something terrible proves it right.
This past week, my community was shocked by the terrible news that one of my friends and teammates from high school has passed away in a tragic accident. A sweetheart, an athlete, a hard worker, and a genuinely kind soul are just a few of the ways this wonderful girl can be described. As soft-spoken as she was, she still managed to impact such a broad spectrum of people through her personality and actions. Her selflessness was beyond that of anyone else I’ve known. And we knew that.
We all knew that we were lucky to have this positive presence in our lives. We knew that people like her don’t just come into our lives every day. We knew, but, of course, we didn’t think about it constantly, or express how thankful we were to have such a great person as part of our own story as much as we now wish we had. It’s not fair that she was taken too soon. It’s not fair that we weren’t able to explain to her how lucky we were to have her one last time. However, if any good can be taken from such an awful situation, it’s that we can all take a step back and realize how important it is to show our love for people while we still have the opportunity.
Whether it be a best friend, a former teammate, or an acquaintance you had that you always really appreciated, but never really told them--there’s never a bad time or a bad place to remind someone that you appreciate them. While you certainly shouldn’t live in fear of death or what might happen to those around you, it’s important to face the unwanted truth that tomorrow is never guaranteed for anyone. Don’t wait. If you care about someone, let them know. You never know if you may not have the opportunity to tell them again.
It’s too often that I hear people describing their guilt when they unexpectedly lose someone and their last interaction didn’t include an “I love you” or something similar. You don’t have to go to the ends of the Earth over and over to show that you care for a person. Sometimes, just showing that you would go there if they need you to is more than enough. Show your loved ones what they mean to you. They deserve to know about the important role they play in your life.
Rest in peace to my friend who was lost way too soon, and thank you for bringing happiness to my life and that of so many others. I wish I could see your smile light up a room one more time, but I know I can think of the memories I have of it forever. You are missed.
