November 2015, I lost my best friend. She was driving to pick up her boyfriend from the local bus station and was in a single car accident. She was flown to the hospital and was in a coma from November to January. She was doing better and was moved to a rehab center mid-January. She barely made it through the door, then that was it for her. A beautiful 20-year-old lost her life. Jessica was always happy and cheery. She knew how to brighten up a room before she was even fully in the door. There was never a dull moment when she was around. It’s safe to say that Jessica was everyone’s best friend at one point, and she touched everyone’s life.

Tabitha was the second to pass away. We were friends since middle school. As long as I could remember, she was sick. She had diabetes at a young age and because of this, I remember her missing a lot of school. Once we graduated, we lost touch. It happens often, the people you saw every day; you never see again. I was still hurt when I heard of her passing. She was a young, sweet girl. One that did not deserve it. No one this young deserves it. She was 22, new to the world, and barely had any life experiences. But just like that, she was gone.

Yesterday morning, I heard the news of another passing. A young gentleman that I did not really know. Ros died suddenly and unexpectedly in a car accident on the Cross Island Parkway. Although we did not really know each other, he still always greeted me with a smile while we were in school, as he did everyone else. It is safe to say that there cannot be a single bad thing to say about Ros. His friends loved him dearly and that has been shown these past days through the constant posts on social media. My heart goes out to all of his friends, as I was in their same spot not too long ago, going through what they're experiencing now.

So this is my open letter to you all. To my family, friends and peers. Cherish every moment you have on this world. Because without knowing, it could be our last. Don’t adhere to the drama and the hatred. Don’t hold on to the bad memories of the past. Live, love and laugh. That’s corny. I know it is, but it’s true. Be happy, and make others happy. Volunteer your time, join good causes. Live a beautiful life. We all deserve it.