Undergraduate / An Unbreakable Bond - the loss of a friend can destroy a life and change someone's perspective [3]

An experience in your life that has be particularly meaningful to you - An Unbreakable Bond

All comments are welcome.

For anyone who suffered the loss of another, it is easy to understand the power it has over a person. Loss is capable of destroying a life and has the ability to change someone's perspective. Two years ago, I lost my best friend of fifteen years to a heart condition. The person who lived down the street from me and had made such a huge impact on my life was no longer there for me. After I realized he would not be able to ride his bike over or offer his brotherly advice anymore, it hit me that he was truly gone.

The majority of my life, I was an extremely shy girl. Admittedly, I was different. I stood up for what I believed in and was very strong-minded. In return, I was teased and bullied. For the most part, I didn't really care what people thought about me. However, there was no escaping humanity. The words would occasionally sting more than normal and I would return home in tears. I never really understood why people would be so cruel. Fortunately, there was always someone I could count on to pick me when I had fallen, my best friend. With him, there was laughter, smiles, and happiness. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't know how to ride a bike or had ever faced my fear of going into the deep end of the pool. He made me believe anything was possible. However one day, he was unexpectedly taken away from me.

I never expected to lose someone so close to me, so suddenly. It was the first time I had ever encountered the death of a loved one. Knowing that the boy who had been there for me almost my entire life was no longer there devastated me. My heart never ached so much in my life, but I refused to lay in misery. I put up a strong front and pretended everything was alright on the inside though, I was shattered. Keeping my emotions tucked away and hidden began to impact me tremendously. My grades began to slip and I saw no point in anything anymore, like I had lost all hope.

I spent months shattered and miserable until finally, I came to a realization. It struck me that sitting around thinking about my best friend wasn't going to bring him back and if he could've seen me then, he would not have supported how I was handling the situation. I dealt with his passing in such a negative way, and it wasn't doing any good for me. Deciding it was time for change, I began to keep up with my school work once again as well as stay involved. I was working harder than ever and noticed that the feeling of emptiness had faded. Today I'm not that shy girl who was bullied or teased anymore.

The power of death has no limits. How a person chooses to deal and cope through it, can ultimately ruin or change their outlook on life. Not to long ago, I had lost a close friend of mine. His death affected me tremendously and my world was shattered. He had such a huge impact on my life and still does today. Even though he is no longer here today, I know we have an unbreakable bond that will never fade. I would not be the same person I am now, if I had not gone through that experience. I wouldn't have learned that you have to pick yourself up and make things happen in order to get what you want in life. My determination would not be as strong as it is today if it weren't for my best friend.