clouds

a common college application that made me tear up as I wrote it.

May 15, 2014, at 11:07 AM. I was sitting in my high school lunch room as a young freshman, only fourteen years old. I had received a heart wrenching message that a man who was like a big brother to me, Archie, overdosed on heroin and passed away. I never expected to have to face such terrible news as a young girl. At this time, I was not developed or mature enough to understand what heroin was or how harmful it could be. But, through this experience, my understanding of the real world became clear. The world is at war everyday around me and I did not even realize it. On behalf of Archie's death, the community around became hushed and forever changed.

In the time of mourning, I became sensitive to the raw emotion that was associated with life. At this point in time, I realized the happenings around me, everything changes. Suddenly I became responsible for myself, for my emotions. I was quickly compelled to stabilize the tears and not cry "mommy" every time I needed help, or scream for mercy any time I wanted to give up. It felt as though I was rushed into the real world and forced to mature, but it seemed like my leap into the emotional baggage of adulthood was good for me. Archie tried to use his strength, maturity, and adulthood to escape, but he was weak. Coming to terms with the fact that I was becoming strong gave me hope.

Through Archie's unexpected heroin related death, not only me, but the local community, was able to create a withholding bond that could stand up against the deadly advances and dark-colored world that heroin was becoming. They say heroin is too powerful to break-free. Although death is sad and losing someone so tragically is fatiguing to deal with, it is always necessary to attempt to reveal the good in every situation. I am thankful that I gained something good from this loss, and it makes me feel content knowing that me and the community have become strong and powerful to face the drug epidemic.