It might be a new year, but we can't forget the fact we lost members of our Panther family last semester. The untimely deaths of Caitlyn Burns, Kyle Raarup, and others will always be in our hearts.

It makes you wonder, though, if there are any words to be said in a moment like that. Tragedies, for example: Suicide makes us and everything around us freeze; all the thoughts you were thinking, all the actions you were doing, everything just unconsciously fades away. Silence surrounds you, but you don't notice it. The people who aren't aware or are better at hiding their reaction to the news fade away. Suddenly, everything becomes clear and you notice everything with a new outlook.

Silence. These moments are for self-reflection. Wondering if you called your grandparents to tell them you love them and to talk about how they have been doing. Wondering if you called your parents to ask how their day was and ending with "I love you, Mom and Dad." Wondering if you are doing your best in your classes or if you could do better. Wondering if your close friends and family know you love and appreciate them. Wondering if you are a decent human being or just an a**hole. Wondering if you are really living in the moment and not taking anything for granted, not even for a second.

Before I heard of Kyle's passing, I had this unexplainable urge to call my mom. It didn't dawn onto me until I walked to the vigil. Something, God, my loved ones in heaven, maybe both, must have wanted me to call my mom, to remind her that I love her and that I appreciate all that she has done for me, continues to do for me, and the things she will do for me in the future and just talk about life or how her day went.

The only life-long commitment I have for myself in 2016 is this: I'm making the decision, starting right now, to let the ones know how much I love them, how much I appreciate their presence in my life, how much I believe in them, etc., because I don't want them to ever question how much I value them as a friend, sibling, parent, grandparent, mentor, etc. This may seem a little overwhelming, but I don't plan to build Rome in a day because a little kindness, hope, encouragement goes a long way. I hope I can inspire you to do the same.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." If you want to see a better, more hopeful future for others, then we all must come together on and agree to at least this: "It costs $0.00 to be a decent person."