My heart bounced, my breath
shortened, and a long, hard cry erected from my esophagus. Lying on the frigid, concrete parking lot
forgetting about the success my volleyball team just had endured in a high
school tournament, I felt nothing, I heard nothing, not even my cries or those
of others. Thoughts raced through my
head, what they were though, I still could not tell you. Huddled between the arms of my mother and that
of my friends, we all groped in sorrow, feeling for a reason, an explanation, a
justification. It was not found, not
then nor now. The only thing left for us
to find was memories and an everlasting lesson of life. On September
21, 2002 the life of one of
my best friends, Bethann Zagurasky was lost.
The event was very tragic and both then and now sorrowful, however
throughout the past weeks I have come to realize that Bethann has not left me
simply with memories and pictures but something that has rocked my soul and
forever influenced my life. Bethann has
given me a lesson that could not have been taught by any means of books or
teachers. She has taught me that in life
one must not wait until tomorrow, live your dreams today. Bethann’s death has awakened me to realize
that life is so brutally short and in the time that I am privileged to be here
I will make my life both meaningful and worthwhile. Although this tragic incident happened not
too long ago I have dramatically been impacted and have already started to make
better choices and not procrastinate until tomorrow. I will carry the lesson Bethann has taught me
in my heart for eternity and I will adhere to the lesson Bethann has taught me
in each and every day of my life. I
will reach for the stars and give my all in whatever I will do because I know
now that life is too precious to waste.
Although
Bethann’s time on Earth was short, her memories and spirit will live on for
eternity. She has impacted me in a way
like no other. She has also given me the
strength and the desire to reach for the stars and never settle for average. I will remember Bethann in my heart for
eternity, but more importantly I will not remember her death, I will remember
the lesson that she has so graciously given me.
It is because of Bethann that I will reach for the stars and strive for
excellence. It is because of Bethann
that I will not procrastinate until the next day and I will try my hardest at
all times. It is because of Bethann that
I will never ever stop reaching for and living my dreams. Thank you so much Bethann may your gracious
heart forever rest in peace.
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