Time heals

11 years ago today my life changed forever. I'd like to say that it was for the better and that I'll never forget that day. But it wasn't for the better, and sadly that day is engrained in my mind forever.

April 2, 2002, I lost two of my friends in a single car accident my freshman year of high school. The two survivors of the accident were my best friend and her brother. My mom, brother, and I were about the third or fourth car on the scene of the accident. I remember being so scared and sick because I knew what had happened. No one had to tell me. I didn't get sat down and told the horrible news that my friends had been killed, I saw it with my own two eyes. And it hurt. It hurts just as badly today. Those were my friends, it just as easily could have been me and my brother in the car with them. To see my best friends like that changed my life.

I learned that day that life is not forever. That no matter how long you think you have, you really don't know. I spent the day with them at school that morning and then we all went to the orthodontist together, them in their car and us with my mom, normal day. And then they were gone, just like that. I learned that the memories left behind are there to cherish. The one thing I will always remember about my friend is how she always had a smile on her face and how much she loved to make people laugh! That was what she loved to do!

I think about that day all the time, but especially today. I see their siblings, who were just kids when the accident happened, having their own kids and going to college. It really strikes just how long they have been gone, and how much I miss them. Love the ones you have, you never know when their time is done and they are called home. <3