Miami Marlins superstar, José Fernández, was tragically killed in a boating accident September 25th, 2016 off the coast of Miami Beach. When I heard the news early that Sunday morning, my heart shattered to the floor. Not only am I a Marlins fan, but José Fernández is my all time favorite Major League Baseball player. When my mother called to break the news to me, I didn’t believe her at first. I didn’t even bother to check the news because I knew he was infallible. I thought to myself, “How could my favorite baseball player, so full of life, be dead?”

The past week, I have been trying to wrap my head around the fact that José’s gone. My mind went through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Some stages lasted longer than others but for the majority of the time, I couldn’t understand why he had to die. I kept asking myself, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” I still do not have the answer to that question, but I did shift my perspective. From everything I experience in life, either directly or indirectly, I try to make a lesson out of it. There’s always something to learn from everyone you meet and every situation you encounter. I am still not able to comprehend why bad things happen to good people, but I do understand that your life can change at a second’s notice. Since the current state of our lives can change in a blink of the eye, I believe that gratitude should be an integral part of one’s lifestyle. Be grateful for what you have, for what you are and for where you are. Simply be grateful for your life. Take your life and make it the very best possible. This is what José taught me. His attitude, hard work, and perseverance was so humbling, and it inspires me to be the absolute best version of myself. The world really needs more people like him.

Notably, this was the first time in my life that someone who had true value and meaning to me has passed away. I would have never thought that I would be affected by a death of someone I did not personally know. Yet, the connection was there. Even though I never had the honor of meeting him, he was such an influential person in my life. He truly embodies what it means to be LIVING. He never skipped a beat and lived his life with such intense passion and excellence. Most importantly, he taught me to always approach life with a smile on my face. The light he carried shined so bright that it was powerful enough to impact anyone who’s seen him一 on and off the field. This very light is what has helped me cope with his death. I know he’s looking down at all his family, friends, fans, and teammates with one great big smile.

Even though the Marlins franchise will never have another José Day, I will live my life as if it is José Day every day. To fully live my life with the embodiment of his resilient spirit. Rest in peace Number Sixteen. You’ll never be forgotten.