Happy Birthday

On Saturday night I helped to celebrate the 30th birthday of someone very special; someone that couldn't make it to their own 30th birthday.

The celebration was a concert dedicated to Jeremy Bottoms, held by his older brother, Brady. Brady has been playing and performing music his whole life, and couldn't possibly know another way to express his love and memory of Jeremy. With cupcakes and beer flowing through the crowd, Brady performed on stage from his heart like nothing I have ever seen. Holding back tears so vividly the back of my throat was sore and I was so glad that my surroundings were dark and loud. It was a magical moment, one that I rarely feel nowadays... a moment that brought me back to the night that would change everything forever.

Jeremy was my date and boyfriend that night that our car collided into the night sky. He was less than fortunate, for he didn't make it. I often reflect on that night, the accident, the change... and wonder how exactly my fate twisted so. Beyond my injuries and everyone elses', my mind spends time realizing all of the experiences that Jeremy would never know. That is the hardest part. Knowing that someone's life couldn't endure long enough to discover what it actually meant and felt like to be alive.

And because of that, I will try never to take it for granted. Happy 30th, Jeremy.