I know that it seems a bit strange to talk about 2016 when it hasn't even come to an end yet, but I feel so inclined to do so because I know so many people who have struggled with this year. Between injuries and heartbreaks, it seems like 2016 has put a curse on most of us. But it's going to be okay.
Three days into the year, I was in the hospital. I spent the next four months putting my health insurance to good use with countless doctors appointments, medications and a surgery to top it off. I remember thinking that nothing could be worse than this. But it got better, and now I'm healthier than I've ever been.
On February 4, my best friend was in a car accident and broke her femur. The strongest girl I knew was somehow broken. She spent the next three months on crutches, unable to work or do much of anything. I know she thought it couldn't get much worse, and I know that it hurt her. But she got better, and now she skips and once again is the happy girl I remember.
On June 23, my parents went to court to finalize their divorce. The people I looked to for guidance my whole life decided that the love they once shared wasn't enough anymore. I know that it hurts sometimes because heartbreak is something we all experience but never want to. But my dad still tells jokes, and my mom still cares more than anyone I ever met. It will get better.
None of these stories are sob stories. They are victory battles. Each person went through someone that tore them down. But they still got up.
Plus, these things are the big ones. The crippling, I can't breathe anymore filled with pain ones. We all experience the little things that make life hard, but sometimes it so much more than that. Lean on people who care about you. I know it seems cheesy but every one of these people I just talked about had someone to help them when they fell down.
Until recently, I was saying how bad 2016 has been going but, in reality, it wasn't. Sure, there were some big things going on but all the little good things made up for it. My wonderful friends and family were there through everything. I really don't know what I'd do without them.
If 2016 seems like it's making you its own personal victim, know that there are so many people out there going through the same things you are, and it gets better. Also, know that you don't have to take this all sitting down. Life sometimes just doesn't hand you any lemons, but that's okay because you can go out and get your own lemons.
But if it seems like all else is lost remember, "Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end." — John Lennon
