Dr. Seuss once stated “Sometimes you will never know the value of the moment until it becomes a memory.”

It is safe to say that all of us have imagined what life would be like without someone else, or if you never existed or what you would do if today was your last day... no? Just me?

Now that I am getting older, I have been realizing how dangerous life can actually be. Your life, or anyone’s life, can be taken in an instant. Realizing that life can be stolen away without any given notice, just as quick and as selfish as a bully stealing your lunch money, people can slip away, vanish, and simply become a memory. When I was in 8th grade, something inside me changed, I wanted to be different and I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to do something big, like Albert Einstein big! I’ve wanted to make some kind impact, on tons of people, have my name and my work carry on, just like his did. I wanted that because I want to be remembered after I die. Isn’t it funny. We are all trying so hard to be remembered after we die, that we go on living our life, without really living. We are so focused on the future that we don’t live in the moment. We all do this so we are remembered after we pass. But, once we are dead, we are dead. That’s the truth, and yes, you can make impacts that are worth the memory of you, but once you are gone, slowly everything about you will fade.

I’ve realized that living for “the now” and enjoying the moment is something I appreciate way more than living for the future, when it may never come. (But please, still go to college and think about taking care of the future you, just incase, you know, you actually live a full life!)

Like Buddha once said, “the trouble is, you think you have time.”

If I knew today would be my last day, here's how I would live it:

I would start my day by waking up before the sun kisses the earth’s surface. I would take this time to be by myself and write heartfelt letters to all of the people who I am fond of, who have made an impact on my life, who have shaped me to be who I have become. I would then place the letters in the mailbox. This way, I imagine it would play out a little like this; they would think that they had just gotten rid of me, that they had seen the last of the great Victoria Hart… but, surprise! I am still lurking! I would proceed to then drink a huge cup of fresh coffee, or tea, we will see what I am in the mood for that day. I would focus on the essence of warmth, trickling its sweet nectar down into my stomach and then with a burst, flowing its energy into my veins. I would be somewhere absolutely breathtaking, like the McAfee Knob, the Peaks of Otter, or the Humpback Rocks, soaking up my one last sunrise, I haven’t decided yet if I will be by myself or with someone I love, because thank goodness, I haven’t gotten to that point yet!

I would take my father on a bike ride. I would listen to him reiterate his mundane but yet completely clear-sighted, intelligent lectures about growing old and enjoying every little thing, that have made me completely conscience about life. I would listen to them with and open heart and an open mind, one last time. I would go on a walk with my mother. I would welcome what she had to say about her day. We would dig deep, back into the files of our minds and remember the oldest and oddest of memories. Like when I was younger, every thunderstorm that hit, we would grab a bowl of Lucky Charms, go sit out on our porch, and feast while watching in awe as the storm rolled through. We would share our feelings about the books we have read and exchange life stories. We would think abstractly about, let’s say, the earth. We would talk about why it is, why is it the earth's interior works the way it does? How has life shaped earth and how has earth shaped life? We would admire and mystify about how simply beautiful everything is and be in awe about how it perfectly works the way it does. I would bring my sister on that shopping spree I promised I would bring her on when I got my license. I know I know, It’s four years later and I am a terrible person for not bringing her on it yet. I would go on a nature adventure with my brother. We would collect the coolest rocks, bring them back to our house and do what we always do, sand them down, polish them up, shape them, and let our minds flow free with what we want to create with them.

I would eat everything I could. I would enjoy all of the amazing foods this world has to offer, I mean, the calories won’t even count in a few hours anyway, right? I have spent my whole life watching what I eat, I mean, it is a good thing for my physique and inner organs, but like I said, it won’t matter, so I plan to indulge and make my taste buds explode! I would drink wine that has matured for 20 years, sink my teeth into flakey, doughy, cinnamon rolls, drenched in glucose molecules, and savor butter poached chicken with crisp newborn herbs and soaked in zippy lemon juice.

I would want to do one last thrilling adventure. I have always been one to try new things, keep an open mind, and stay positive about everything. I want to be hit with an opportunity of a lifetime. I want to do something rare that not a lot of people do: sky diving, pick up a hitchhiker, or be a hitchhiker, try wind surfing, dive into the great Atlantic Ocean and see the Titanic, I would try free falling from a cliff, swim naked in a shopping mall fountain, I don’t know, I need creativity!

I would have a big gathering with all of my friends and family out in Colorado. We would enjoy the great spine of the land, one last time. I would want a slide show going of all the pictures taken of me/with me/by me, I want to reminisce and indulge in everything. Also, this would be the time where I probably cry like a big baby. I would take one last road trip. I love to travel and if I am making this day semi-realistic, then I would travel from Colorado to Cannon Beach, Oregon. I would travel with my best friend. We would throw on our Throwback playlist, sing as loud and obnoxiously as we can, while snacking on our ever so healthy road trip snacks: chips and candy.

I would want to spend my last and final seconds dancing in the moonlight with the person I love. We would be dancing me away. We would be dancing for the life I have lived. For the fear it contained, for the fear of moving to a different city, for the fear of falling off my bike when my father let go. I would dance in adage for the sadness as I am realizing that these are my last few moments alive. I will dance fearlessly because I was granted the rare gift of happiness, for my parents, who were always there for me whenever I needed. I would dance for my memories, for the knowledge I have gained about this strange twisted world. I would waltz for being in love.

I will be accomplished with life, I will be ready, I will have done the things I love, with the people I love. That is when I will be ready to meet my sunset.

I will leave sharing my longevity of life; live it to the fullest. Be aware of everything, be nice, don’t hold on to anything if it isn’t worth holding onto. You are here for you, and as selfish as that sounds, it is true. You do what you have to do in order to make you happy. If you were told today that tomorrow would be your last, how would you live your life to the fullest?