Everyone, sometime throughout their life, has to make a choice that will change how they view the mysteries of life. How they go on with their days, taking the slightest of chances presented to them, and running with it for better or worse. It’s hard– being faced with such challenges and navigating our way through rocky terrain until we’re met with the brilliant sunrise at the very top. This journey is not one that you’ve faced alone, however. Regardless of how small.

     It was early August, the roaring of passing trains rumbling the house awake when I understood what it meant to move on. To move away from the sanctuary I’ve known; of creeping floorboards under the blazing summer skies and bustling highways droning on into the twilight. I knew I wouldn’t be alone– wouldn’t be stranded without a home– though the choice ached all the same. When my friend came up to me, on such a day I longed to be like any other, they explained that they’d be moving away next year with their parents. I couldn’t help the way my mind conjured how dull it would be without them, although I didn’t want that to show. However, it wasn’t that easy.

     The very same night, I cried in the middle of their bedroom, stiff as a statue slowly chipping away between each precise mold. The air hung empty of stars through the windows, and the only sound echoing in my ears were the overflowing tears. At first, I was certain that I could accept that they would be gone in a matter of months. Yet, they played too major of a role in my life to let my closest friend go in a blink of an eye. They held me tight to their chest as reality sunk in. As all at once, the ground felt like it was crumbling beneath my feet until it was impossible to bear.

     That’s when I heard it. When I heard them whisper, snapping a cord in my brain that they truly wanted me to take that step with them. ‘If anything, you can come with my family and I when we move. You’re pretty much a part of my family anyway.’ It cut so deep, but I barely needed a moment to think about it as I agreed. I made a choice to come with them on their cross-country trip to settle down in a completely new environment.

     As much as it had hurt– the idea of finding lazy days together in the middle of nowhere in big sky country while leaving dearly missed friends behind– it made me want to do greater things with my life, to push me to pick up things I’ve never done before and make the most of time left in this small midwestern city. And after everything sets into stone, the eventuality couldn’t be a greater decision made.

This was written by our contributing writer, Claire Kroening.