In the famous movie, Forrest Gump, the most memorable line that is used quite often is "Life Was Like A Box of Chocolates, You Never Know What You're Going to Get." While most people think the "Was" is an "Is" in the quote, it is part of the famous Mandela Effect. For those who do not know what that is, it is when people remember events, sayings, or images differently than they actually are. The Mandela Effect relates to a lot of what is happening in the world with everyone. Everyone can remember this time in so many different ways for many different reasons. Forrest Gump knew what he was talking about when he said that you never know what life is going to hand you.

Life this summer has certainly handed me some thing I never would have expected. COVID-19 cut my junior year short and my boyfriend and I had to stay put at my house for longer than just spring break. We were supposed to go on a trip to England with a few trips here and there to Paris to visit friends from school and to Amsterdam just because. It was suppose to be the year of travelling for me. Instead, life had other plans. My family and I decided to make the most out of this new time with dad working from home, Josh and I doing online school, and mom having to take a break from cosmetology. We have learned new recipes, laughed at stupid jokes, and had many rounds of corn hole. We certainly have utilized this time of social distancing to take advantage of loving what we do have.

As things began to open up more, I decided I wanted to get a job close to home so I applied and got a job at the country club down the street. I began working at the pool cabana which allowed me to enjoy sunshine and meet so many wonderful families who attended the pool. As time went on and I proved that I could handle working at the grille part of the club, I began serving as a waitress in the clubhouse. I got to meet even more wonderful people coworkers and members alike that I will miss deeply when the school semester begins again. Working has been 99.9% of my social interaction outside of my family because I take social distancing very seriously.

I have learned so much about life and myself this summer and if it weren't for this out of the ordinary time, I might would have never realized. I have learned to never take life for granted even when the going gets tough sometimes, cherish memories with loved ones, and who your real "go to's" are in life. I have gotten closer with God during this time by keeping up a bible study with my best friend. Every week we realize we can have plans for our life and think we have it all together, but it is ultimately God's plan and He always has our best interest at heart, therefore I rest knowing I have trust in Him for my life. You truly will never know what you will face in this life, but one thing is for sure, it all depends on how you handle it.