A Festivus Tiding

A moment of your time.

I've recently taken the habit of writing these notes. Equal parts trying to make people laugh or think, and making myself feel better by just airing my shit out - these notes have become something of a priority in my life. I've already touched on love, friendship, the weather, and smelly, oddly dressed, cardio-crazed socialites. So what to write now? I realized, I don't have any daily gripe this time. But rather than wait for the dramatic effect of a year-in-review Mega Note, I decided to put out the Big Kahuna Note now... in observance of, say, Festivus. Yeah, Festivus.

Twenty-year-old, Jenna Foellmi, died last week from what authorities say was "a classic case of binge drinking." I mention this because it was a name in the paper, nothing more. Had I known her, it would have been a very real tragedy that altered my daily life. But above all, I mention this because it wasn't me. Or you. Countless names in newspapers have appeared as cursory reminders that life is inconstant. Yet every day we wake up, and every day we go to sleep. It's easy to take for granted, we've done it our entire lives.

I mention this because it's the only way I've found to relate to what countless teachers, family members, and historic minds have said: Life Is Short. Personally, it seems more like life is extremely long. At least until it's almost over. But the "almost over" part is the kicker. It keeps you on your toes - like some people I know who speak of cold weather: It reminds you you're alive! At least it ought to. As this year draws to a close, I feel compelled to acknowledge that I'm still here, and thankfully (if you're reading this), so are you.

Ms. Foellmi; my fellow classmate, Tyler Brengman; and my favorite teacher, Marion Bohnsack are among those whom I will not have the fortune to see again. I'm writing this note as a thank you, and a resolution.

Don't ever say you "Don't have the time" ever again. Of course you don't - no one does! Time isn't something you're entitled to or are given in order to parcel out arbitrarily. It's not a matter of how much Time you Have, but how much Life you Do. Life IS short, but it's also quite grand. It will never cease to give you choices, and whether you're diving over a waterfall, making love, or watching cartoons, you're doing life, and you're making a choice.

I've had quite a year. I braved yet another birthday (if anybody needs a few let me know, I'll be happy to trade down), I criss-crossed the country, I attended 16 straight months of school, and I graduated. Mixed in there were emotional Tilt-A-Whirls, lessons about the opposite sex, and the occasional really good sneeze (for which I am eternally thankful). I strengthened old friendships, forged new ones, and strained some of the most important others. For that, I am both thankful and sorry.

At the risk of forcing you to scroll down any further, I will leave with this: If you like her, talk to her; If it scares you, face it; and If it's precious, protect it. Life is short and nothing is guaranteed. This also means that nothing is permanent - so what's there to be afraid of? If you screw up, it'll pass; If you're hurt, it'll heal; and If you do right, it Will matter.

So, thanks for this moment of your time - obviously you could have been doing ANYTHING else. *Be different, Breathe deep, Laugh and Cry often, and take Pride in those two ovals of the Earth that you own, resting beneath your feet.*

I'll see you next year.