Sunday morning many American’s woke up hearing shocking a terrible news. Jose Fernandez, a pitcher for the Miami Marlins, was killed in a tragic boating accident along with 2 others aboard. As I continued to read the news I learned many things about Fernandez such as how he was only 24, an expecting father, and an amazing athlete. I read posts from dear friends and teammates who were just as shocked and saddened as everyone else about the news. I was enlightened about his journey to America from Cuba with his mother and how truly courageous he was in every way. His face was plastered across all of my social media networks and news outlets, showing his bright and beautiful smile, photos of him and his teammates, and his signature number, 16.

For some reason, I couldn’t help but feel unexplainably saddened by this occurrence. How could someone so full of life, positive energy, and talent be taken away so young? I just kept thinking to myself, “this isn’t fair.” I’m not from the area or a Marlins fan, but I imagined how many people his death impacted. How crazy is it someone can fight to be successful, and have it taken away so quickly? Life is precious and fragile, and we are lucky, even on our worst day, to be here.

Jose Fernandez has been in my thoughts since I first heard the news. I would be lying if I said his death hasn’t impacted me in some way. I have lived through some notorious deaths, Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, Patrick Swayze, Muhammad Ali, David Bowie, but I never truly felt any of them the way I felt when I heard about Jose Fernandez. I suppose it really hit me when I saw 1992-2016, which makes him only 6 years older than me. Again at school today, countless teachers and students were talking about Fernandez. Recalling his stats, his life, and unfortunately his death. Although I’ve experienced the loss of close family members before, I don’t think I have really thought twice about death until now. I can honestly say that I am appreciating every moment I have here more now than ever.

Jose Fernandez will live on in the hearts and memories of his team, his fans, Miami, the baseball community, and the entire world. He was a star in every way, and will be honored as such. Although we unfortunately cannot change what has happened, we must take what we can from this tragedy.

RIP Jose Fernandez