My daughter Ashley recently had a friend her age pass away. It has really been a struggle to accept and this week she writes about it. Thank you Ashley :)xo
Teenagers are infamous for sincerely believing that they are invincible to anything and everything. Even though we all hear stories and tragedies about fatalities involving teenagers, we still never fully understand the fragility of life and how quickly it can be taken. As a 17 year old girl I can, without a doubt, admit-tingly say I considered myself invincible and it was not until last Sunday afternoon, Feb 13, that I quickly changed my ignorant perspective on life. That Sunday was when I received a terrifying text message from my mother informing me that my best friend from my home town Lon Island, NY , had passed away. My best friend Matthew , was a handsome,athletic, kind, smart,loving and funny person. He was friends with everyone. He was only 18 years old and had 3 more months until he would have graduated from high school. He had 7 siblings ranging in age from 5 years old to 27 years old. Matty's life was quickly taken from him , while sleeping, after drinking 4 alcoholic /energy drinks ( aka, four loko, Tilt) . He went to sleep and never woke up! His friends and family, me being one of them, are now left without someone we love.
I hear my mom's voice over and over telling me to think before I do things . Not to always live in the moment. Today I understand those words more, the vision of Matty's mom having to say goodbye to her son will forever remain in my head and heart.
Over 1000 people attended Matty's services . In his short 18 years of living he touched so many lives.
My goal from this article is not to tell you how to live your life , or what decisions to make, but to bring to the attention of teenagers who are my age, maybe younger or older that life is extremely fragile and it is so important to appreciate life and act responsibly because no-one is invincible.
I hope to move ahead being a voice that can make a difference. For Matty Boy !
