One year. 365 days. 8,760 hours...a lot can happen in that time.
In the past year, I have taken a month's worth of exams, performed at the Indy 500, graduated high school, gone on vacation, started a job, started college, met so many new people and I have realized my family's strength.
It's not every day that you get an eye opening experience like I did one year ago. Losing someone in your family is hard, even if you don't know them very well. To this day, I don't feel like it's my own loss to mourn. Seeing the hurt and the pain that my other family members were facing, that was the hardest part. Seeing how upset my mom was when she came home later that night, that's what got me. I still can't listen to "See You Again" without thinking of the tears in my grandmom's eyes and the pain on my poppop's face, I don't think I ever will, it's a memory that has imprinted itself in my mind. I think this tragedy helped my family get closer, maybe without anyone fully realizing it.
Over the course of a year, we have learned to appreciate the life we are given. We have learned to not take each other for granted, and to love every second we spend together. There have been some bumps along the way, as expected, but I think we've come around. I have seen how strong my family is in our weakest moments, and that is truly something to be amazed by.
"Life is short, and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel this journey with us. So let us be swift to love, and make haste to be kind."
This quote sticks in my mind. I would hear it every Sunday for years as church came to a close, but now it has a different meaning. It used to mean just as it says, lately it is much deeper. To me, it now is truly a reminder that life is unexpected. We can't plan what is going to happen to us, but we can choose to surround ourselves with people who will support us in any way we need. Realizing this has helped me see just how lucky I am to have my family.
In a year, a lot can happen that you may not expect, but these new experiences can open up a whole new world of realization. Unfamiliar experiences show a person's true colors and I will forever be grateful for the colors I was shown a year ago. My family is kind, loving, caring and truly my support system.
"Those we love don't go away,
they walk beside us every day,
unseen, unheard, but always near,
still loved, still missed and very dear."
We don't know why everything seems to happen the way it does, but I know, every day, I try to understand. I know that whenever I see a horse transporter, or a song about wild horses comes on the radio, I am being looked over by my uncle, it is constantly a reminder that he walks beside me and protects me.
"It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right. I hope you had the time of your life."
