Today I was scrolling through Twitter, as I normally do, and I stumbled across a tweet with a photo of one of my favorite viners, Emma Greer. Interested, I clicked on the image and was shocked to see the message printed below in the description, "You will be missed."
Out of sheer disbelief, I went to her Twitter page to see the last two tweets she had posted, on March 18. In theses two posts, she explained her battle with Metastatic Stage 4 Alveolar Rhabdomysarcoma and the news she had just received in regards to it. After a long stint of radiation and chemotherapy, she had run out of options. Her doctor told her she had three weeks to three months left to live, and today, on March 27, 2016, she lost her battle to this horrible disease.
The second I heard this news, I knew there was so much I wanted to say. But now, sitting in front of an illuminated computer screen, hands resting idly on a cool keyboard, I seem to be at a loss for words. For the sake of Emma's memory and the legacy she deserves, I will try my best.
Emma,
I guess to any non-millennials, the non-existent yet extremely existent relationship social personalities and their fans share would seem a little strange. Although I never knew you, nor you me, I always felt your strength. It was amazing that a person dealing with so much was still able to keep a smile on her own face, let alone those of thousands of other people.
Nothing you posted or said was extremely deep or existential, but it was in the fact that they weren't that had the largest impact on me. You see, in my world, I, fortunately, have never had to face any burden as serious as the one you carried. In fact, before getting on Twitter today, the heaviest thought in my heart was the idea that I may possibly fail my next French exam in order to prioritize the short story I also have due next week -- that all seems so trivial now.
Though you only walked this earth for 16 years, you have taught me so much about strength and the true meaning of priorities. On a day like this, when Jesus has risen and a loved one fallen, we must always remember one crucial fact: life is simply too short to be spent worrying over absolutely anything you aren't completely and totally in love with.
When we all look back on our lives, we will wonder about the impact we left in our worlds and upon those around us. Thank you for fighting a battle most of us would never be strong enough to fight with a grace and beauty powerful enough to infect all those who encountered you. Thank you for reminding many of us of the beauty of life. You will truly be missed.
Today, I won't do my homework, or work on my applications, or check blackboard. Today I will watch Netflix, and eat ice cream. I will laugh with my friends and spend all my money and waste all my gas driving absolutely nowhere. But, most importantly, I will celebrate you.
