"Life, The Universe and Everything" by Iesha Qalila (1N)

Do you often just space out? Well, I surely do.

Every night before I shut my eyes to only be awoken to a new, brighter day, I think. I think about, well everything. Sometimes, it comes to my attention that most of us don’t acknowledge how lucky we are to walk on this planet. As days past by, only growing older and wiser, we tend to forget the memories that may only happen once in our lives. Like, that time you learned your first word? Or perhaps the time you finally managed to ride a bicycle after those falls you stumbled upon? It only happens once, and once in forever.

As a teenager, I often think about the future.  All my friends, they would all grow up some day and start a family of their own. One by one, having their own children to take care of, as well as their occupations to deal with, but here we are- at school. That’s just how life goes, am I right? Everything here is temporary, and my friends won’t be my friends anymore despite our ‘everlasting friendship promises’. Soon, my life depends on only myself. Does that now scare you? Everything your parents taught you as a child, it all matters for the future- but we don’t see that as a child, don’t we?

 In just a decade or more, I’ll meet a future loved one, and will start a family on my own. As that proceeds, my parents will grow old, and won’t be able to take care of themselves without assistance. Worst come to worst, a loved one will then pass, proceeding to a better place they belong. It’s just a matter of time, right?

What scares me the most is the fact that there will be a date in life, a date whereas I’ll have to encounter. The date where I finally get to rest, and will only feel for as I’m asleep. And everything, everything I’ve felt and seen in this world will come to an end.

I must be insane, thinking of all this. Thing is, life itself scares me, as the saying goes, “All good things come to an end”.

Therefore, we must appreciate every single thing that happens in our life. Our parents, our friends, our opportunities. Everything. After reading this, go acknowledge your parents by giving them a call, or perhaps visiting them wherever they are. Show all your love and appreciation when you still have the chance to, as you only live once, so make the best out of it.

By Iesha Qalila Binti Yaacob Bahatiar (1N)