Recently a football player at my school committed suicide. I heard his name shouted on Saturday afternoons and his voice was one of the loudest in the cafeteria, but I didn’t know him. I do know that even the most energetic and happy people are the sometimes the ones hiding something deep down and I also know that a life is never worth wasting.

I didn’t know him, but I wish I did. I wish he would have known how loved he was and how much he is missed now that he’s gone. I wish he would have known that there was a light at the end of the tunnel and people there to greet him there.

I’ve watched one of the happiest people I know become one of the people that isn’t here today anymore, so I know how it feels to be in disbelief and not understand how someone so happy and full of life is now gone, so with that being said, always be kind and smile. You never know what your kind act or smile could do for someone.

Also always check up on your friends and family. Make sure they know you love them and are there for them no matter what, reassurance never hurt anyone. Just because they are laughing and happy when they are around a group of people doesn’t mean that they are okay, just make sure they know you are there.

Now, if you feel like your life isn’t worth living anymore, you’re wrong. Your life is worth so much more than you’ll ever know. Whatever you are going through, whatever incredibly tough situation you are in does not end because you do, it gets worse.

Your family and friends will be heart broken, they will have to plan out a funeral and wonder where they went wrong. They will wonder what they could have done better or different. And you are missing out on so much, you’re missing your future and you’re missing all of the things you’ve planned out for your life.

I can not fathom what someone would have to go through to feel like that and I wish I could pull every person out of that feeling, but I do know that whether you think your life is important or not, I can tell you it is. It’s important for the people that love you and it’s important because you were put here on this planet for something great and you can’t leave this planet before that happens. You were destined to be something great and you are important.

I’ve seen the effects of suicide and I’ve watched one of my role models fall into someone I didn’t know anymore. I know that life isn’t easy, but I do know that whether it’s great or it’s awful, this life is worth it. The light at the end of the tunnel may just look like a flicker right now, but if you end your life it will go out, but if you take refuge in those that love you that light will get bigger and brighter every day.