Many people do not know what it is like to lose a friend. I know the pain extremely well. This summer on August 14th, the day before my sixteenth birthday, I lost one of my dearest friends, Mary, to a heart condition. She was a big, important, and beautiful part of my life. My friends, Brandon, Kate, Jillian, Alex, and I were all in the hospital the last week of her life. It was a constant series of ups and downs then on Sunday I received a call saying she was dying because her brain had hemmorhaged. I rushed my way to the hospital and was able to say my goodbyes and tell her how much I loved her five minutes before she died. Her death was heartbreaking to our entire class and it has been a difficult school year. But I have learned one thing out of this entire experience. We need to love and live each moment like it is our last and not take anyone or anything for granted. Show those around you how much you care because you never know if it will be your last or theirs.