"Untitled" by Ruben R

      The day I truly realized life is too short was on a cold Saturday morning. I was on my
way to the Glendale hospital along with my dad who had told me that my uncle had a stroke and
that he was in critical condition. The ride there was completely silent all the way through until
we were parked, when my dad told me that I had to stay strong and hold back any tears no matter
how bad my uncle’s condition was. Hospitals are a dreadful place that make me feel empty and
sorrowful inside being surrounded by the sick and the weary, a place for families to grieve or
worry for their loved ones. The pit in my stomach as soon as I walked in the cold building sent a
shiver down my spine that told me it was going to be a rough day. The head nurse that led us to
my uncle’s room had no expression, no remorse, and definitely no comfort on her blank face.
     My aunt as well as my grandparents were the first faces I had seen in that entire hospital
that weren’t completely pale, but soon after I recognized their swollen eyes that were deprived of
sleep and tired of consistent crying. They forced a smile and we exchanged hugs but I couldn’t
get a single word out, all I could think about was how bad my uncle was. When they led us
inside it left a mark on me and will forever remain for the rest of my life. I stood there looking at
him, a man who once stood tall and strong, now lying feeble and numb. His right side from head
to toe was completely paralyzed and swollen, yet when he saw his brother and his nephew the
side of his face that could function managed to shine a big smile. His words were barely
understandable and in that instant I felt the urge to cry. It felt so wrong for any human to sound
so distorted and in pain. Tears started to swell in his own eyes as he began to beg my dad to
“take care of mom and pop when I’m gone” as he repeated it until his words were inaudible. He
then turned to me and told me to live my life in a way in which I will find true happiness and that
that was the best way to live. My family and I tried to comfort him telling him that he was
strong and would make it through this and that he would have a long time to live through the rest
of his life. After that the rest of the day was calm but still had it’s share of tears and us staying
there by his side talking to him and comforting him.
     When it was time to leave later that day the ride home was as silent as the ride to the
hospital, except in my mind my thoughts were racing and I eventually came to a point of
enlightenment. I realized life really is too short, and can come to an end at any moment. That it’s
best for us to spend it in whatever way in which we will find true happiness. Life is too short to
worry about little things such as temporary relationships with temporary, toxic people and
instead should be focused on spending it with our loved ones. Life is too short for us to reflect on
the past. We’re better off looking toward the future and what it will bring us.