A Picture

Studying.... all day. I just have to keep telling myself it will be worth it in the end. And it really isn't that bad, I just have so many more things in my life I would rather do then study physics.

I also need to start packing. I am avoiding this process at all cost though because I know the first thing that I will probably have to pack away, my picture frames. This will most likely not be my only post on picture frames because picture make me happy. I have 13 pictures either framed or laid out on my desk so I can see them and then another 8 on my wall. I just don't have the heart to take them down. If I take those down it is no longer home for me. A single picture can capture so many emotions, they can capture your happiest moments, they can also capture things you want to remember about yourself. One picture that I have on my wall is a picture of a clarinetist that I was in band with in high school named Brian. I have never met anyone like him. I was a senior when I met him and he was a freshman but he taught me more then I could have ever taught him. I might have taught him about music and band but he taught me something much more valuable: how to cherish every moment.

A little background for those who are extremely confused Brian has muscular dystrophy and is confined to a wheelchair. That wheelchair did not stop him from being in marching band though. He had an electric wheelchair so he moved himself, he was not going to be pushed. Brian would call out counts, play with his free hand, and show up on the field at 7 in the morning with a bigger smile then anyone else there. I was so honored to be his section leader. He taught me so much by getting to march next to him during halftime and sit with him at football games. Brian is such an inspiration- he never lets anything get in his way and he has the best character!

The picture I have on the wall is from when I went to a football game after I graduated. It has several of the other clarinetists, Brian and then me. Even though I was a graduate he was still excited to see me and asked me about school, what was knew, and how I was. I didn't know I made an influence on him, all I knew was he influenced me. Every time I look up at that picture I remember how I need to strive to have a positive attitude in everything. If Brian doesn't give excuses I really don't have one. Even though I am not at my high school anymore I know he is impacting so many people. It is hard not to be amazed with him.

I know this post was super random but that picture makes me really happy (as do all of mine but those are for a different day). But every picture, letter, and figurine on my desk has a story- something that defines me. I can't pack it away yet. I need these memories to get me through exams. So today I want to thank Brian because even though it is totally random but looking at that picture keeps me going when I am dead tired and sick of studying. I put on a smile and keep going. It's surprising that something as simple as a picture can do that.