Two years ago on Friday February 17th, 2012, I was getting excited for a weekend full of Family and fun up at Giants Ridge skiing like we do every President's Day weekend. I had a couple classes and then I was off for the weekend. I am just about to head up to my dorm room after my last class as I can feel my phone buzzing. It is a text from Megan asking me if we are hanging out this weekend. We had talked about it last weekend and I had talked about hanging out, totally forgetting that I was going skiing. Other people would have gotten mad at me for lying or making plans and turning my back on them but not Megan. I apologized and told her that I was going skiing that weekend and that I wouldn't be in Rogers until the following weekend. "no problem, we will see each other soon! Have fun skiing :)" was the text I received and a text I will remember for the rest of my life. I thanked her and put my phone away, not knowing that it would be the last time I would ever talk to Megan. Three days later on a snowy, windy Monday night, I would get a phone call that would change my life. A phone call that told me that Megan had passed away and was no longer with us.
The next week was the hardest week I ever experienced. I tried going to class but that was pointless. I didn't take a note, I couldn't tell you what my Philosophy class was even about that day. I emailed my teachers and told them that I was taking the weekend off and explained what had happened. I headed back to Rogers with a heavy backpack and a heavy heart.
The rest of the week was filled with saying goodbye to one of my best friends in the world. Someone who I would text when I needed advice. Someone I would call to hang out because I knew how much she loved hanging out with people from Broadway. Most times we would just go to my house and play catch phrase or watch a movie but she was always thrilled when she got to come over. Support from family, friends, and random strangers came and helped along the way, but deep down I knew that a great piece of my life had been taken away from me.
As I look outside and see the snow, all those memories come back. They will never leave me, no matter what happens to me in the future. Megan always told me that Cassidy and I would end up being together for a long time. She saw something in us that she knew in her own life. She knew that silly little fights with significant others usually just made them stronger. Today I can tell you that Cassidy and I have never been closer.
Everyday when I wake up and every night when I go to bed I say my prayers. I pray to God to forgive me for my sins and to keep my family and friends safe through the day. Before my prayers end, I say a special prayer for the Sample family and address it to Megan. I ask Megan to look over me throughout the day and to always keep me motivated to pursue my dreams. It is with her help that I know that losing weight was easier in the beginning because she was looking over me every single day. As I continue to try to become a healthier person I look to Megan for strength and ask her to help push me through the challenges in my life.
This Thursday on the 20th I am going to go to Broadway Pizza in Rogers, eat an Italian Chopped Salad (Megan's favorite) and fill up a balloon. Along with friends and co-workers, we are all going to write letters to Megan and then send them up together. We plan on keeping this tradition going every year. Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to fill up balloons with us. The more the merrier. We usually wait until after Bingo because so it isn't so crowded. Be there around 9:00 if you would like to join us! It is always a fun night to relive memories and remember someone that we loved so very dearly.
Thanks for reading,
I love you all.
-J-
