A lot of people leave in life, and a lot of great things seem to end at the worst time possible, but as cliche as it sounds, when one door slams shut, another creaks open. It’s just whether or not you choose to turn the knob and walk through.

Over the past few years I’ve seen a lot of people leave, physically and emotionally, and it never really gets easier. I’ve seen some of the best things in life suddenly end, only to disappoint and leave people wondering.

But it’s not all bad. Sometimes things have to end. It’s part of life, and often times it’s for the better, however, in the moment no one really thinks that way. The issue is people are often too willing to give up parts of their lives they once loved so much. I’ll be the first to empathize with someone trying to leave parts of their past behind, but when it comes to the better aspects of life, I’ve never understood how people just move on. In reality, it’s not that simple. No one just moves on, it usually comes with a lot of thinking and a lot of “what-ifs,” but other times it happens out of the blue.

With the separation that comes with the great adventure called college, I’ve realized if I want my friendships, along with all the other things I love about home, to still be around in a few years, it’s going to take more than a phone call once a month. Just because you’re not around your favorite people and things doesn’t mean they still can’t mean the world to you. It’ll take a lot of effort, and a little extra time, but it’ll be worth it if you do it right.

Strive to make it all last a little longer, but only if you want it to. You’re in complete control of your life, and the direction it goes in, so remember what makes you happy and don’t let it go because it’s no longer convenient. The good things in life may not always be present, but it doesn’t mean they’re not there.

I guess my point is to embrace what we have while we have it, and if it happens to end sometime, embrace that too, but don’t let it go if you don’t have to. Some of my favorite memories happened months and years ago, and they still make me smile. Just remember, when it comes to the more important tangibles, and intangibles, in life, don’t let them go without a fight. When it all seems to be slipping through your fingertips, push for it to last, because if you don’t, you’ll be left wondering what would be if you did. It may not be easy--most great things in life aren’t--but you’ll never regret the things you decided to fight for, because in that moment in time, it’s exactly what you wanted.