Perspective

Sometimes it takes a terrible situation to make you realize what is important. It takes a "it will never happen to me" moment to happen to someone you love just to realize how serious it all is. College kids drink and party and do drugs all the time thinking they will only experience temporary effects. Think about it. How many people do you know who haven't at least tried drugs or alcohol? My guess is the number is very slim. You may think you are just having fun, but think of the consequences. My cousin had finally cleaned up until one day he had a relapse and took too much... and that was all it took. He was a witty guy who always had those awkward sarcastic comments at the dinner table that everyone loved, the one with the goofy smile on his face, who cared a lot for his sister, loved ones and family, who always tried to teach lessons and live them himself. He had started to straighten life out to where he wanted it to be...He was 20 years old with a baby on the way and a bunch of people who loved him. I have memories with him that go back to when I was five years old and now he is gone because of a mistake that I'm sure he thought was temporary.

We all mess up and we all hit rough spots, but there are other things that can help us through the difficulties besides substance abuse. For instance, your loved ones. Personally, if anyone has any kind of issue, I would appreciate it if they would come to me before turning to harmful substances to ease their pain. Your actions not only affect yourself, but everyone around you. The people who matter the most will stick with you through the hard times and even the good times, and those who don't will fade away when things get hard. Do not be discouraged, this means they were never meant to be a part of your life in the first place. Now I know after this happening in my family that I have thought a lot about what I want out of life and who means the most to me. It's that moment when you feel sorrow... who do you want by your side? Who is going to help you be strong? Who can help you be the best of yourself? Find those people and do not let them go.

I don't wish this upon anyone. Please consider this next time you go out to have fun. It's real. It happens. This is life, and it goes fast. You should enjoy it, but always remember how fast it can be taken away as well. Twenty is too young to have lived your life. We will miss you man. Rest in peace <3