Don't You Forget About You.

This past weekend, I lost a dear friend I made at summer camp. Camp only lasted three weeks, but the memories made were infinite. I remember my conversations with her, her unique personality, her witty humor, and her never ending friendliness. She made everyone in class feel included.

I was sitting alone, saving seats for my peers at Beta Convention when I found out. I was just going through my Facebook news feed when I found my summer camp friends posting stories and memories of her. My stomach rumbled, and a sharp pang hit me when I saw the dreaded words- Rest in peace. At first, I didn't know what to do. I didn't know who to tell, or what it would mean to whoever I told. But I had to tell.

It wasn't hard to forget about it until the end of Beta Convention; so many excited things took place, and there was no room for mourning. But the second I got home, it hit me. Someone I talked to, someone I thought was charming and funny, someone who I thought would grow up to do great things, was gone. I don't say all this to put a late friend high up on a pedestal- I find that beyond disrespectful. It's not right to exaggerate the bonds and ties you had with someone just because they've passed. That's selfish. But it's only right to remember them for who they were and what they meant to you.

I can only imagine what her family and close friends have been going through. She honestly was beautiful, charming, and had an angelic voice. No one could have suspected that she was going through tough times inside. No one would have suspected her to take her own life.

I'm blessed with so many friends that are as influential and lovable as my fellow tipster, Claire Glass. She made everyone around her feel important, but she just might have forgotten about herself. Her passing means one thing to me- those with the biggest hearts can suffer the most. I want to take this experience and learn from it. It is my mission to look past the painted smiles and emotion-proof armor people put on. It's time I pay attention to those I care about. I want those in my life to know that even though they're so busy helping others, they can't forget about themselves.