Life is not only the rarest gem on earth but also that of the entire universe. When I was a child I would often wonder what exists beyond our solar system and would start to get scared at how incredibly small we really are. However it was not until a chain of tragic events that would forever change my perception on what life means to me.
Growing up my grandfather Zaide was a prominent force in my life, teaching and guiding me throughout my childhood. When he passed away on July 2nd 2002 I was just thirteen years old: sad, confused and angry. Having never experienced a death in the family before I began to ask questions of why and how.
My Zaide was a stubborn yet selfless man. Above anything else he taught me to treat everyone with the utmost respect and to live life to the fullest degree of happiness. Although I had overcome tragedy there was no way of preparing for the series of horrid events that would unwind in the next three years.
Shortly after my mother was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer, my Father’s mom passed away. Then a month later my Uncle on my dad’s side passed as well. The following year my friend Brian was killed in a snowmobile accident and my friend Taryn passed due to a rare blood infection acquired over seas. And lastly I lost a friend and coworker Lauren to a drunk driving accident.
There is nothing more life changing than kneeling in front of your friend’s casket, in tears, knowing you will never hear their voice or see their smile again. In my darkest moment I soon realized how pointless it was to dwell on something you cannot reverse, but rather cherish the power of now.
Life is a beautiful masterpiece, composed of the unknown. For the brief moment in time that we grace Earth, I believe we should be productive, positive and interacting people. After all our mere existence is so unfathomable that it never ceases to boggle my mind as to why were are here at all. Life is far too unpredictable to be upset and angered all the time. My friends and family who have passed on have left me with the ambition and motivation to never give up and to never forget that we are all unique and all apart of something truly spectacular.