Knowing the Missing

We hear horrible news stories every day. Multiple times a day. We've become almost immune to hearing bad news, I think. It's not shocking anymore unless it's an untimely celebrity death or something that's outside, sadly, of the "norm" of bad news we so often hear.

That is, until the news relates to someone you know.

I went to high school with Robyn Gardner, the woman missing in Aruba.

I had heard the news stories earlier this week, but didn't pay a lot of attention to them. A few nights ago, I was checking out the news on my iPhone and pulled up the story. When I saw pictures of Robyn, my heart sank. It was surreal moment of being in shock that I actually know someone that this is happening to. It's very hard to describe unless you've experienced it (and I hope you never do). 

Robyn's last name was different in high school, which is why I didn't make an immediate connection when I originally heard her story. We were good friends. We had several classes together and she was very sweet. We graduated together.

We were friends... 

I found the senior picture she gave me and it made me cry. The other night, I couldn't sleep, so I took out my old yearbooks and read what she wrote. In our senior yearbook, she wrote that she hoped we would keep in touch and she "meant" it. 

Sadly, we didn't.

Life shifted for me and I lost touch with most of my friends from high school over the years. It wasn't until joining Facebook a few years ago that I reconnected with many of my friends from that period of my life. In 2008, Robyn sent me a friend request and we reconnected. We sent a few Facebook inbox messages to each other. Then, like before, we lost touch again.

The story of her disappearance is heartbreaking to me. I KNOW HER! I cannot believe I know someone who is missing and all over the national news. It's surreal, and sad, and devastating. It's shocking. I feel so bad for her family. I am hoping that they find her and she's safe. 

She's my age. And, 35 is too young...

There is so much life ahead. So much to look forward to. I sincerely hope she's okay.

This really hits home for me. It's a reminder to live life fully every day. To dish out as much love as you can. To not put off your dreams until tomorrow because tomorrow is not guaranteed. 

So, I urge you to conquer life. Follow your dreams. Laugh more. Love more. Be present in your life.

And, a lesson I've learned the hard way... keep in touch with your friends. Cultivate your friendships. Maintain them. Be there for your friends. Don't let life get in the way. 

All we have for certain is this very moment. Make sure you make your moments count.