A Sad Subject:You Only Live Once

Death.
The loss of a loved one is never an easy topic. We all have our own ways of coping and finding the path back to normal life after a loved one has passed on. Some people cry, some people scream, some people become 'blank', some people separate themselves in sadness, and others come together.   At Oldham County High School, we have had and continue to have numerous tragedies of loved ones lost. We have almost a repetitive line of tragedies in our school, and we experienced another one today at 3 a.m., losing two loved teenage souls. 

At our school, we have always had a way of coming together in the memory of  lost student.  The whole school wears yellow, pink, or  another favorite color of the student that passed away. We all comfort each other and those closest to the student.  I have never had the tragic experience of losing a close friend to death. I have known three out of the four students that have died in the past years that I was in high school. I knew them, but was not friends with them. I always feel a pang in my heart for their family and friends who have to live with a person missing at the dinner table, a bed empty or an empty chair at the movie theatre during a girls night out. I always do what I can to be supportive of the people that did know the students who have passed away, but I almost feel selfish if I post a thousand "We're going to miss you. RIP" Tweets or statuses.

 I don't know how to say this without it sounding heartless, which if any of you know me at all, is NOT who I am. I am one of the most emotional people you might ever come across. Sometimes it seems that we only pay attention after someone had passed away. Millions of people around the world have become familiar with the term "YOLO", and for those of you who, for some reason, may not know what that it means: it stand for You Only Live Once.  I feel, we have come to abuse this term in a way that says "I'm doing something extremely stupid and I know it, but YOLO." YOLO is about being brave- not an excuse to do something stupid or dangerous. Many people seem to realize how precious life is after they've lost someone and vow to never do something so dangerous again. Unfortunately, most of the time, it seems, a few weeks after the tragedy, we are back to living they way we vowed to never live again. 

We all come together and for a split second the world from where we stand seems at peace and everyone loves everyone when someone leaves this life. After a few weeks, however, we seem o lose this sense of togetherness.  We return to hating our neighbors or talking behind people's back or living on the  wrong side of "YOLO".  This type of behavior has always been peculiar to me. And, at the risk of sounding like a "Make Love, Not War" hippie, why do we always have to dissipate back into our hateful lives? 

I didn't mean to begin a sermon.  I am no more perfect than anyone else in this world. I understand how and why people band together in the face of a tragedy-strength in numbers,right?- but why do we go and break the bond after time has passed?

This morning at 3 a.m. two teenagers lost their lives in a car accident. A family lost their 14 year old daughter, another family lost their 15 year old son. I didn't know the two teenagers, but I'm sure that they touched many lives and have befriended many people. I am deeply sad for the people who lost a daughter/son, niece/nephew, sister/brother, fellow cheerleader/ fellow sports team member, or a best friend. I wish them peace in their hearts and comfort in the rest of their everyday life.  God Bless them. Stay Strong.

My Father is an amazing man. He works hard to provide for his family, he loves all six of his daughters unconditionally, and loves our Mother even more. That is the greatest gift he has ever given his daughters: loving our mother to no end. He has taught us so much and has prepared us to go out into the world and be independent. He has taught us how to make our own decisions, and always forgives us when we've made the wrong one.
He has comforted us in our time of need and has made us laugh when we thought we'd never smile again. He has stayed up late at the kitchen table trying to help me with math homework,while I cry in frustration. My dad works out of the country so that he can provide us with what we need and also, the things that we want. My dad is not greedy. He is always willing to help anyone that needs it. He is forgiving, and kind, and gentle, and he loves God. My Father is an amazing man.
      It's Happy Father's day to all the wonderful Father's out there. And to mine: although you aren't here with us today, as you're in Australia, I hope that you are having a wonderful day and know how much your family loves you. I hope you know that all of your daughters love and miss you. You are the best dad we could have ever asked for.  Thank you for everything hat you have ever done for and given to us. We couldn't have been given a better Father. I love you, Dad.

Better Late Than Never

Sis·ter: [sis-ter]noun 1.a female offspring having both parents in common with another offspring; female sibling.
My sisters: imspiration, love, rock, therapist, encourager, biggest fan, supporter, comforter, BEST FRIEND.
MY sisters completely re-write the definition of "sister". Someone who you grow up with. Someone who proves to be your first best frend(s).
-The people you fight with one day, but then the next you are back to normal.
- The person who introduces you to your first scary movie, and then has to let you sleep in her bed because you're too scared to sleep alone.
- The people who have to wake up in the middle of the night and sit,reading to you while you take a nebulizer treatment because you're asthma is keeping you awake.
-The people who edit and revise your school essays even when they live hundreds of miles away.
- The people who teach you how to bake.
- The people who share the same dream as you, and support you no matter how crazy your dream might be.
-The people who you can call when you're having a terrble day and they wont judge you.
-The people that can make you laugh even in your darkest moments.
- The people who you can ask for boy advice.
-The people who you take you on dates with the guys they think are a bit weird.
- The people who know how to push your buttons and get under your skin.
- The people who love you unconditionally and know you better than anyone else.

I have quite the unusual amount of sisters, or so says the world today. Five older siters is apparently a LOT to have. But I honestly, don't knwo where, or WHO, I'd be without all five of my sisters. My sisters all mean the world to me. They've been there for me through everythng even though I haven't lived in a house, or a state for that matter, with four of them in over 4 years. We may not always get along, but I know that they love me, and I hope that they know how much I love them.