Death Taught Me To Live

Hey Steemit! This is @thegaillery again. I was overwhelmed at the turnout of my introduceyourself post. You guys have been so warm with your welcomes and I can foresee that I'll be spending most of my time here in Steemit. A big thank you to all of you :)

A bit late into the Halloween spirit, but as I'd like to say, "Better late than never"

All Saints Day and All Souls Day come after Halloween in the Philippines. It's All Souls Day today and we are all set to visit our dearly departed. It reminded me of a post that I made back then about death and how it widened my perspective in life. I wrote this piece 3 years ago on my blog, but I believe I have to remind myself of this every now and then as I tend to forget. Feel free to read on as well.

"I was sixteen when I first heard of logarithmic functions. I memorized lines off our graduation song, I entered the portal of the University of San Carlos for the very first time, I passed Sir Cabatingan's interview and I met the most amazing and smart people I'm lucky to call friends now, all at the age of sixteen.

My cousin lost his life at the same age.

When I first heard about it, I immediately put off everything that I had planned for that day. School works were towering but at the sound of the news I just sat on one corner. I thought for a few seconds about the time we had spent together. I spent another few seconds thinking about how my uncle and aunt must be feeling right then. I spent a couple of minutes pondering about how sickness is a cheater and how life is short.

I am now twenty years old.

I can say that my life has took a 180 degree turn ever since my cousin passed away. Although we lived far away from each other, even if we weren't that tight, his death taught me a lesson I seem to have forgotten along the way - to live. To take risks, to have fun, to enjoy my youth, to go out with friends - these were all overshadowed by my ambitions to be great, to be a success, to rise above everyone else as if all living ever was is a competition.

Twenty and almost a half years old, to be exact.

I still have but a lot to learn. But these will come in their own time. Right now, what's important is I am smiling. I laugh. I talk to my friends. We have misunderstandings. I keep a healthy amount of insecurity. I treasure a modest amount of pride. I love my family. I believe in God.

I live."

Thank you for reading all the way through :)