Taking something for granted means that we are failing to appreciate the value of something, whether it be a physical object, our lives, or an experience. We should never take anything for granted because we can lose whatever it is in an instant. I learned this the hard way on September 25th, 2016.

It was the day of the Marshall vs. Louisville football game, ultimately the biggest football game of the year for the Herd. It was a fun day full of tailgating and football. After the game, though, things went downhill when I made a decision that would cost me my vision.

Some friends and I decided it would be fun to take a broomstick to hit cans off of a table outside. None of us thought it was a bad idea and we didn't think anyone would end up injured. When the next person in line went up to swing, I was standing too close to them. Next thing you know, I saw the broomstick coming right for my face, but I couldn't do anything because it was too late. The broomstick had bent in half when it hit me and the small sharp piece that was formed had cut my eyeball in half. At the time, I didn't realize what had happened. I was sitting on the steps of the porch with my hand covering my eye. People ask all the time if it hurt. Yes, but I felt more of a shock because of what happened. Everyone was freaking out, but I decided to remain calm. I went to the kitchen to clean my eye out when this girl looked at me and said I needed to get to the hospital right away, so my friends, boyfriend at the time, and I packed into the car and went to the hospital. After we got to Cabell Huntington Hospital, they told me they didn't have the equipment to work with my eye, so they transferred me to the University of Kentucky Hospital. My parents met us all there and later that morning of the 25th, I went in for my first surgery ever. Since then, I've had a total of three surgeries, cornea appointments every two weeks for the first three months after my accident, and retina appointments every month. I will never see out of my left eye again, but I've learned to accept that.

That day, I didn't wake up saying, "I think today is the day I want to go blind in one eye." Instead, I made a careless decision and took something as simple as my vision for granted. It took five seconds for me to lose something so valuable and helpful. Something so small can change your life forever.

Moral of the story, never take ANYTHING for granted, my friends. Your health, your safety, your friends, family, your entire life. If I would have realized how important something as simple as seeing just a little bit sooner and realized you cannot take anything for granted in life, I wouldn't be where I am today.