The holiday season always has a way of making you appreciate the people in your life a lot more than usual. It’s important to always tell your loved ones what they mean to you while you can; you can NEVER love someone too much! My freshman year of college, I met a girl who brings a little bit of sunshine to my world everyday just by being herself. I am SO inspired by her and the woman she has grown into over the short couple of years I’ve known her and wanted to give her a platform to share her story with anyone who needs to hear it. With that being said, here is a letter from friend, Chloe Vose, to all of her angels on earth.
To All My Angels On Earth,
“Throughout your life, you experience these defining moments that have the power to completely shift your perspective on life. Good or bad, life always has a way of surprising you and challenging you to grow in different ways. I could name quite a few of these moments off the top of my head that I’ve experienced in my lifetime, probably more than I can count on two hands. But when I think of the woman I am today and and all of the parts of me I’ve collected along the way; there’s one moment in particular that I can truly say holds a big space in my heart.
Saturday morning on September 16, 2017 began like any other Saturday of my sophomore year of college. Living in my sorority house, I was surrounded by my best friends eating Chipotle and enjoying one of the last few warm September days the year had to offer. I didn’t know then, but that day changed my life forever.
That day I heard the news that my older brother had died. At just 22 years old, he passed away unexpectedly and joined our father up in heaven. The loss of my brother has been one of the biggest challenges that I’ve ever had to face. There were times where I questioned my faith and doubted my strength, thinking that there was no way I could make it through something like this. But in those weakest of moments, when I would look around and see the people standing there beside me, I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
I won’t always understand God’s plan, and I will never understand why, but I can say with confidence that the only reason I kept going and the only way I was able to become who I am today is because of the love and support I received from the people who surround me with so much love and comfort every single day. I am so grateful to have met the people who are in my life now and to have more than enough shoulders to lean on when things get tough.
Grief is a funny thing and unfortunately, it’s something I have come to know all too well. Because of it, I have learned to see every single day as a blessing, and I have promised myself to do my best to better the lives of those around me. If it weren’t for the people who made my life better when I was at rock bottom, I don’t know if I would be here today. So here’s to friendship, laughter, love, and tears; and to the angels in my life who made me who I am today. Thank you for listening and loving me always.”