Every little girl dreams of having their best friend standing next to them on their wedding day and bringing their kids to the same park so they can have play dates later on in life. You believe there is nothing stopping you from being by each other’s sides for the rest of you lives. We’re all invincible, right? No one ever wants to think that something might prevent these plans from happening. On May 13, 2015 my life and the perspective I had on it all changed.
As I scrolled through twitter on the night of May 13th I saw my friend Nathan’s tweet reading “Please pray for Carly and Matt.” Immediately I texted him to ask what had happened. Carly Sinnott was one of my best friends since the 1st grade. I soon learned that Carly had slipped and fell off of a cliff while hiking with her boyfriend and was in critical condition. I didn’t want to believe him. I couldn’t believe him. It wasn’t until I had turned on the news that my worst fear had been confirmed.
I would spend the rest of the night exchanging messages with friends asking if we should go to the hospital or not. I couldn’t help but think I would never be able to forgive myself is something happens to her and I’m not there. I laid awake for hours hoping it was all a dream. She will wake up, she may be paralyzed, but at least she will be alive. After finally falling asleep for about an hour, I was awoken by my phone ringing. My friend on the other end didn’t even have to say one word. I knew what had happened.
Carly was an amazing person who I was lucky enough to have in my life for the amount of time I did. She was one of those people who could light up a room within seconds of entering with her infectious smile or contagious laugh. She always had the “dance as if no one’s watching” mentality, and for this I envied her. When she loved someone she loved them with every ounce of her being.
Since that day, I firmly believe it’s so important to make the most out of every day you’re given. Every breath we take and every morning we wake up is a gift. A gift we all take for granted too often. Carly’s passing taught me to life life the way I want to live it. Her care free attitude showed me I need to do things because they make me happy not because they will make someone else happy. I now appreciate every day and every person in my life more than I ever have before.
It is sad something so tragic had to happen in order for myself and others to open our eyes to how special and fragile life is. Life is so beautiful and we must take advantage of every chance we are given to live it for others who didn’t get the chance to. In her short amount of time here on earth, Carly taught me more than anyone else ever could.