Please pray, think good thoughts, whatever you do, please do it..

[ShortStack]

I posted this on FB a few minutes ago, but hope that everyone can take something from it. I know none of you knew Josh, but you have all been so wonderful during all of this, I wanted to share it..

It's always a shock to lose anyone we love. It's even more so of a shock when it is a sudden death. I think the hardest thing to cope with though is the unexpected death of a young person, especially when they have so much potential in life. That was one of my first thoughts when Josh got hurt, "Please God, he has so much potential." Looking back on that cry to God just a few days ago, I realize that through this, Josh can reach his potential. I truly think his potential is to change the world. He may not physically be here to do it, but his impact on us can change the lives of countless people. That was Josh's reason for living. I know we are all hurting right now, and it's okay to hurt. It's natural to cry, yell, laugh, and even be at a loss for words. However it is that you need to work through this, please find a healthy way to do so. The hurt won't ever really end, nor will the feeling of missing him go away. But with time, a peace of losing him will come, if we work towards it. When my dad's best friend died almost 6 years ago, I felt it all. And it took me a very long time to feel that peace of accepting that he was gone. Do what you have to do to find that peace and acceptance. And then, LIVE. Don't just go through life, acting out the motions, but truly LIVE. You have the chance to do anything you want to do in this world and you never know when you will lose it. I had an idea of that when my dad's best friend died, but he was sick for a very long time and in a way, I knew it may happen. But losing Josh has made me realize that no one, regardless of age, potential, strength, anything is invincible. Don't let the feeling of truly living last for a few months as we work through the pain of grieving Josh's death. No, let it be with you forever. Take each chance you can to live life to the fullest. Never let any day go by that you don't let those around you know you love them. Don't ever forget that you may not take your next breath. Remember to laugh so much it hurts. Don't be reckless, but do things you never thought you would do. We hear people talk about these things all the time, but I don't think very many people really do it. I want to do it. Not for a week, or a month, or a year, but as long as God allows me to be here. From this day forward, I don't want to exist, I want to LIVE. For God, for myself, for Josh because his chance is over. He had a wonderful life while he was here, and he's in a better place than I could dream of being in right now. But I want to do my part to let Josh's potential be reached. I want to change the world. As cliche as it sounds, Carpe Diem.. Seize the day. Each day. Live as if it will be your last.